Method of and apparatus for targeted interactive health status notification and confirmation

ABSTRACT

A therapeutic event such as administering a medication is established. A trigger is established for the therapeutic event, the trigger being a status of some condition. A determination is made as to whether the trigger is present. A prompt is established for the therapeutic event. If the trigger is present, the prompt is delivered to a subject such as a patient. A determination is able to be made as to whether the prompt is delivered, and/or whether the therapeutic event is executed by the subject.

CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of Unites States ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/898,439 filed on Oct. 31, 2013, the contents ofwhich are incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the targeted, interactive delivery ofinformation and instructions, and the collection of responses thereto.More particularly, the invention relates to approaches for sendinginformation and instructions regarding health-related matters targetedto and/or tailored for recipients thereof, to determining what responsesmight be made by the recipients, and to collecting data therefrom. Theinvention includes, but is not limited to, applications regarding healthand health status of the recipients.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Information regarding many topics, for example health care, isproliferating. Access to information when making decisions, carrying outactivities, etc. is valuable, but excessive, irrelevant, orinadequately-targeted information can itself be problematic, sinceremembering and associating the information appropriately to the currentsituation becomes increasingly difficult as the amount of availableinformation increases. This is particularly true when individuals mustconsider information in a complex field, without having comprehensivetraining in that field. An example of this would be medical patients,who is in a position to control their own health-related circumstances,but who also typically lack extensive medical training.

Spoken instructions, e.g. from a doctor during a health care visit, canprovide some level of guidance. Likewise, printed instructions such asthose accompanying a prescription for medication also can provideguidance. However, such instructions are limited in scope, for examplebeing essentially static. That is, a written prescription or visit caninform a patient of the need to take a medication at a particular timeor under a particular circumstance, but does not provide a reminder atthat time or under that circumstance. Even an automated reminder system,such as a timed alarm, provides only limited information, and is oftenreadily ignored, overlooked, etc. Moreover, alarms typically do not inthemselves either confirm compliance (i.e. did the patient take his orher medication), nor collect data, nor offer an opportunity for feedbackfrom the patient. While such arrangements might be implemented by livepersons, e.g. real-time personal reminders from physicians or othertrained persons, such approaches are for many cases logisticallyimpractical.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates a variety of systems, apparatus,methods, and paradigms for targeted and/or interactive approaches fordelivering health-related information and instructions, and/or forreceiving confirmation of receipt, compliance, etc.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a machine-implemented methodis provided, the method including in a processor establishing at leastone therapeutic event, establishing at least one trigger for thetherapeutic event, the trigger including a status of a condition,determining whether the trigger is present, establishing a prompt forthe therapeutic event, and/or if the trigger is present delivering theprompt to at least a first subject.

The therapeutic event includes administering a medication, utilizing amedical device, acquiring a subject status, performing an exercise,taking a break from an activity, and/or exiting an area.

The condition includes a time, a subject identity, a subject action, asubject status, and/or an environmental feature.

The condition includes a subject status, and/or the subject statusincludes bioinformation regarding the subject.

Determining whether the trigger is present including sensing thecondition, determining a time, sensing a status of the subject, sensingbioinformation regarding the subject, and/or sensing the condition usinga portable electronic device.

The prompt includes an auditory signal, a visual signal, a tactilesignal, a verbal message, a tone, a musical sequence, a text message, avibration, a telltale light, a visual image, an animation, a change inaudio output, and/or a change in video output.

The method includes delivering the prompt so as to evoke at least aportion of a medical effect associated with an absence of thetherapeutic event.

The prompt includes obscuring at least a portion of a display visible tothe subject.

The method includes progressively obscuring the display, such that theportion thereof increases over time.

The prompt includes obscuring at least a portion of a display visible tothe subject, the obscuring initiating in a periphery of the display, theobscuring progressing over time so as to increase the portion, theobscuring progressing such that the portion expands substantially towarda center of the display.

The prompt includes obscuring at least a portion of a display visible tothe subject, the obscuring initiating proximate a center of the display,the obscuring progressing over time so as to increase the portion, theobscuring progressing such that the portion expands substantially awayfrom a center of the display.

The prompt includes obscuring at least a portion of a display visible tothe subject with at least one icon, the icon includes a representationof a microorganism, a number of the at least one icon increasing overtime so as to increase the portion.

The prompt is able to be contextually relevant.

The method includes delivering the prompt via a portable electronicdevice, a wearable electronic device, a smart phone, a personal dataassistant, a tablet, a smart watch, a head mounted display, a laptopcomputer, and/or a desktop computer.

The method includes delivering the prompt can include altering an outputof a visual display.

The method includes delivering the prompt can include altering theoutput of the visual display in a manner substantially correspondingwith an effect associated with not executing the therapeutic event.

The prompt includes an advisory, the prompt can include at least one ofa health advisory, information regarding an environmental factor, and/oran instruction.

The prompt includes at least one of instruction to administer amedication, an instruction to utilize a medical device, an instructionto acquire a subject status, an instruction to perform an exercise, aninstruction to take a break from an activity, and/or an instruction toexit an area.

The first subject includes a caregiver for a patient, a portableelectronic device, a smart phone, a personal data assistant, a tablet, asmart watch, a head mounted display, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a health professional, emergency services, and/or a datastore.

The method includes determining whether the therapeutic event isexecuted.

The method includes determining whether the therapeutic event isexecuted can include action recognition, receiving data from at leastone sensor, and/or sensing a manipulation of a medication dispenser.

The method includes determining whether the therapeutic event isexecuted can include receiving data from an image, an accelerometer, agyroscope, and/or a pressure sensor.

The method includes determining whether the therapeutic event isexecuted can include sensing a manipulation of a medication dispenser.

Sensing the manipulation of the medication dispenser includes receivingdata from at least one sensor proximate the medication dispenser,receiving data from at least one sensor distal to the medicationdispenser, visually sensing at least a portion of the medicationdispenser, and/or visually sensing a target on the medication dispenser.

Sensing the manipulation of the medication dispenser includes visuallysensing a target on the medication dispenser, the target can include abar code, a QR code, a static LED, a color-modulated LED, and/or anintensity-modulated LED.

Determining whether the therapeutic event is executed can includesensing a subject action.

The subject action can be characteristic of the therapeutic event.

The therapeutic event can include administering a medication.

The subject action can include administering an eye drop.

The subject action includes the subject tilting back his/her headthereof, the subject raising a hand thereof from a first positionsubstantially in front of the subject to a second position substantiallyabove his/her head, the subject inclining the hand substantially in adirection of his/her eye, and the subject squeezing the hand.

The method includes sensing the subject action with at least one sensor,and the sensor can include a sensor held in a hand of the subject, asensor engaged with a wrist of the subject, and/or a sensor engaged witha medication container, the medication container being held in a hand ofthe subject.

The sensor includes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and/or a pressuresensor.

The medication container includes an eyedrop bottle.

The sensor includes a microphone disposed within the medicationcontainer.

The medication container includes an inhaler.

The method includes establishing at least one confirmation of thetherapeutic event, and if the therapeutic action is executed, executingthe confirmation of the therapeutic event.

The confirmation includes an auditory signal, a visual signal, a tactilesignal, a verbal message, a tone, a musical sequence, a text message, avibration, a telltale light, a visual image, an animation, a change inaudio output, a change in video output, and/or generating a data entry.

The confirmation includes a time of the therapeutic event.

The confirmation includes recording a data entry on a data storedisposed in a medication dispenser, a medical device, a PDA, a smartphone, a smart watch, a head mounted display, a tablet, a laptopcomputer, and/or a desktop computer.

The method includes delivering the confirmation to the first subjectand/or a second subject.

The method includes delivering the confirmation to a caregiver, aportable electronic device, a smart phone, a personal data assistant, atablet, a smart watch, a head mounted display, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a health professional, emergency services, and/or adata store.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a machine implementedmethod is provided, the method including in a processor establishing atleast one therapeutic event, and establishing at least one trigger forthe therapeutic action, the trigger including a status of a condition.The method includes determining whether the trigger is present,establishing a prompt for the therapeutic event, and if the trigger ispresent, delivering the prompt to at least a first subject. The methodfurther includes determining whether the therapeutic event is executed,and if the therapeutic action is executed, establishing at least oneconfirmation of the therapeutic event.

The method includes delivering the prompt so as to evoke at least aportion of a medical effect associated with an absence of thetherapeutic event.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a machine implementedmethod is provided, the method including in a processor establishing atleast one therapeutic event, and establishing at least one trigger forthe therapeutic action, the trigger including a status of a condition.The method includes determining whether the trigger is present,establishing a prompt for the therapeutic event, and if the trigger ispresent delivering the prompt to a first subject and delivering theprompt to a second subject.

In some embodiments, the method includes delivering a financialtransaction from the second subject to the first subject.

In some embodiments, the ownership of the status of the conditionremains unchanged.

In an aspect, an apparatus includes a processor adapted to determine apresence of a trigger for a therapeutic event, wherein the triggerincludes a status of a condition, and a prompter adapted to deliver aprompt to a subject if the processor determines the presence of thetrigger.

In some embodiments, the processor is disposed in a medicationcontainer, a wrist device, a smart phone, a smart watch, a tablet, a PC,a television, and/or a set-top box.

In some embodiments, the prompter includes a display screen, an LED, anaudio speaker, and/or a haptic output.

In some embodiments, the prompter is disposed in a medication container,a wrist device, a smart phone, a smart watch, a tablet, a PC, atelevision, and/or a set-top box.

In some embodiments, at least one sensor is in communication with theprocessor, wherein the sensor is adapted to determine the status of thecondition.

In some embodiments, the sensor is disposed on a medication container, awrist device, a smart phone, a smart watch, a tablet, a PC, atelevision, and/or a set-top box.

In some embodiments, the sensor includes an imager, a depth mapper, anaccelerometer, a gyroscope, a pressure sensor, a code reader, and/or amicrophone.

In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an inputter, wherein theinputter is adapted to receive a confirmation that the prompt isreceived and/or a confirmation that the therapeutic event is executed.

In some embodiments, the processor is adapted to establish aconfirmation of a receipt of the prompt and/or an execution of thetherapeutic event.

In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a sensor in communicationwith the processor, the sensor being adapted to sense the confirmation.

In some embodiments, the sensor is disposed on a medication container, awrist device, a smart phone, a smart watch, a tablet, a PC, atelevision, and/or a set-top box.

In some embodiments, the sensor includes an imager, a depth mapper, anaccelerometer, a gyroscope, a pressure sensor, a code reader, and/or amicrophone.

In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a therapeutic event entityinstantiated on the processor, the therapeutic event entity beingadapted to establish information regarding a therapeutic event, atrigger entity instantiated on the processor, the trigger entity beingadapted to establish a trigger for the therapeutic event, the triggerincluding a status of a condition, a prompt entity instantiated on theprocessor, the prompt entity being adapted to establish a prompt for thetherapeutic event, a trigger determiner entity instantiated on theprocessor, the trigger determiner entity being adapted to determinewhether the trigger is present, a prompter entity instantiated on theprocessor, the prompter entity being adapted to deliver the prompt to asubject.

In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a confirmation determinerentity instantiated on the processor, the confirmation determiner entitybeing adapted to determine a delivery of the prompt and/or an executionof the therapeutic event.

In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a confirmer entityinstantiated on the processor, the confirmer entity being adapteddeliver a confirmation that a delivery of the prompt and/or an executionof the therapeutic event.

In another aspect, an apparatus, includes means for establishing atleast one therapeutic event, means for establishing at least one triggerfor the therapeutic event, the trigger including a status of acondition, means for determining whether the trigger is present, meansfor establishing a prompt for the therapeutic event, and means for, ifthe trigger is present, delivering the prompt to at least a firstsubject.

In another aspect, an apparatus includes means for establishing at leastone therapeutic event, means for establishing at least one trigger forthe therapeutic event, the trigger including a status of a condition,means for determining whether the trigger is present, means forestablishing a prompt for the therapeutic event, means for, if thetrigger is present, delivering the prompt to at least a first subject,means for establishing at least one confirmation of the therapeuticevent, and means for, if the therapeutic action is executed, executingthe confirmation of the therapeutic event.

A method, includes instantiating on a processor executable instructionsadapted to establish at least one therapeutic event, instantiating on aprocessor executable instructions adapted to establish at least onetrigger for the therapeutic event, the trigger including a status of acondition instantiating on a processor executable instructions adaptedto determine whether the trigger is present, instantiating on aprocessor executable instructions adapted to establish a prompt for thetherapeutic event, and instantiating on the processor executableinstructions adapted to deliver the prompt to at least a first subjectif the trigger is present.

In some embodiments, the method includes instantiating on the processorexecutable instructions adapted to establish at least one confirmationof the therapeutic event.

In some embodiments, the method includes instantiating on the processorexecutable instructions adapted to execute the confirmation of thetherapeutic event if the therapeutic action is executed.

In another aspect, a machine-implemented method includes a first subjectcollecting health data regarding a second subject, upon receipt by thefirst subject of a prompt thereto, the first subject sending the healthdata to a third subject.

In some embodiments, the first subject includes an electronic deviceand/or a wearable device.

In some embodiments, the second subject includes a patient.

In some embodiments, the third subject includes a database.

In some embodiments, the health data includes an identity of the secondsubject.

In another aspect, a method includes instantiating in a processor in afirst subject executable instructions adapted to collect health dataregarding a second subject, instantiating in the processor executableinstructions adapted to send the health data to a third subject uponreceipt by the first subject of a prompt thereto.

In some embodiments, the first subject includes an electronic deviceand/or a wearable device.

In some embodiments, the second subject includes a patient.

In some embodiments, the third subject includes a database.

In some embodiments, the health data includes an identity of the secondsubject.

In another aspect, a machine-implemented method, includes in asubstantially uncontrolled environment, with a first subject, acquiringa plurality of statuses of at least one condition, the condition beingrelevant to a health of a second subject, conveying the statuses of theat least one condition to a third subject.

In some embodiments, the environment includes a substantiallyunrestricted space.

In some embodiments, the environment substantially lacks live medicalsupervision of the second subject.

In some embodiments, the first subject includes at least one of aportable electronic device and/or a wearable device.

In some embodiments, the first subject includes a smart phone, apersonal data assistant, a tablet, a wearable health sensor, a smartwatch, and/or a head mounted display.

In some embodiments, the method includes sensing the statuses with asensor disposed on the first subject.

In some embodiments, the sensor includes an imager, an accelerometer, amicrophone, and/or a gyroscope.

In some embodiments, the condition includes an action executed by thesecond subject, an action executed on the second subject, an eventproximate the second subject, an environmental feature proximate thesecond subject, and/or bio-information regarding the second subject.

In some embodiments, the condition includes the action executed by thesecond subject, the action can include administering a medication,utilizing a medical device, executing a therapy, and/or performing anactivity.

In some embodiments, the activity include sleeping, lying down, sitting,standing, walking, jogging, running, consuming food, and/or consumingdrink.

In some embodiments, the condition includes the action executed on thesecond subject, the action include administering a medication, utilizinga medical device, and/or executing a therapy.

In some embodiments, the condition includes the environmental featureproximate the second subject, the environment feature may include time,temperature, humidity, air pressure, presence of pollutants,concentration of pollutants, presence of allergens, concentration ofallergens, presence of toxins, concentration of toxins, level of visiblelight, rate of change of visible light, and/or level of ultravioletlight.

In some embodiments, the condition includes bio-information regardingthe second subject, the bio-information may include medicationconcentration, heartbeat, respiration, body temperature, brain waves,blood oxygen, blood chemistry, and/or body position.

In some embodiments, the third subject includes a database.

In some embodiments, the method includes conveying the statuses inresponse to a prompt to the first and/or second subjects.

In another aspect, a method includes instantiating in a processor in afirst subject executable instructions adapted to acquire with the firstsubject a plurality of statuses of at least one condition, the conditionbeing relevant to a health of a second subject, instantiating in theprocessor executable instructions adapted to convey the statuses of theat least one condition to a third subject.

In some embodiments, the first subject includes a portable electronicdevice, a wearable device, a smart phone, a personal data assistant, atablet, a wearable health sensor, a smart watch, and/or a head mounteddisplay.

In one embodiment, the method includes sensing bio-information regardingthe subject. Determining whether the trigger is present can includesensing the condition using a portable electronic device.

The prompt is able to be an auditory signal, a visual signal, and/or atactile signal. The prompt can include a verbal message, a tone, amusical sequence, a text message, a vibration, a telltale light, avisual image, an animation, a change in audio output, and/or a change invideo output.

The method can include delivering the prompt so as to evoke at least aportion of a medical effect associated with an absence of thetherapeutic event.

The prompt can include obscuring at least a portion of a display visibleto the subject.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Like reference numbers generally indicate corresponding elements in thefigures.

FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of a method for targeted interactivenotification according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an example embodiment of a method for targeted interactivenotification with confirmation according to the present invention.

FIG. 3. shows an example embodiment of an apparatus for targetedinteractive notification according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows another example embodiment of an apparatus for targetedinteractive notification according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows yet another example embodiment of an apparatus for targetedinteractive notification according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an example embodiment of an apparatus for targetedinteractive notification according to the present invention, indicatingdata entities instantiated on a processor therefor.

FIG. 7 shows an example embodiment of an apparatus for targetedinteractive notification with confirmation according to the presentinvention, indicating data entities instantiated on a processortherefor.

FIG. 8 shows an example embodiment of a method for establishing targetedinteractive notification according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows an example embodiment of a method for establishing targetedinteractive notification with confirmation according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 through FIG. 13 show an example embodiment of a prompt accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 14 through FIG. 17 show another example embodiment of a promptaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 18 through FIG. 21 show another example embodiment of a promptaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 22 through FIG. 25 show another example embodiment of a promptaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 26 through FIG. 29 show another example embodiment of a promptaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 30 through FIG. 35 show an example embodiment of automaticconfirmation and/or sensing execution of a therapeutic event, accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 36 through FIG. 41 show another example embodiment of automaticconfirmation and/or sensing execution of a therapeutic event, accordingto the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, therein is shown an example embodiment of amethod for targeted interactive notification according to the presentinvention.

In the example method of FIG. 1, a therapeutic event is established 110.A therapeutic event is able to be substantially any event or actionrelating in some fashion to health, health maintenance, safety, etc.Typically, though not necessarily, a therapeutic event relates to aparticular individual subject (e.g. a patient receiving health care).Also typically, though again not necessarily, a therapeutic event isaction that is necessary or desirable for health. For example,therapeutic events includes, but are not limited to, administering amedication, avoiding sunlight or pollen (e.g. for persons sensitivethereto), contacting a health professional, sensing some form ofbio-information such as pulse rate or blood pressure, providingfeedback, recording and/or transmitting data, and measuring anenvironmental parameter such as temperature or air pressure.

A therapeutic event is able to be negative. That is, not operatingmachinery for some period of time after taking a medication couldconstitute a therapeutic event.

The present invention is not particularly limited with regard to whatconstitutes a therapeutic event, and events other than those describedare able to be equally suitable. More discussion of potentialtherapeutic events is presented later herein.

A condition is established 111. A condition is some feature, parameter,etc. that is able to be relevant to a health matter and/or a specifictherapeutic event. A condition is able to be time, temperature,location, blood pressure, etc. A condition is able to be related to atrigger, described below.

The present invention is not particularly limited with regard to whatconstitutes a condition, and condition other than those described may beequally suitable. More discussion of potential conditions is presentedlater herein.

Moving on in FIG. 1, a trigger is established 112. A trigger is anevent, value, etc. for the condition under which the therapeutic eventis desirable and/or necessary. It will be understood that actions thatare beneficial in certain situations may be harmful in other situations,and vice versa. The trigger thus specifies the situations under which aparticular therapeutic event is desirable.

Typically, though not necessarily, triggers may consider conditionsand/or other factors such as a time of day, a location, a level of someambient condition(s), bio-information regarding the subject or anotherperson, actions of the subject or another person, etc. Triggers alsoinclude inputs from recognized sources, e.g. an instruction from ahealth care provider might constitute a trigger.

A trigger is able to be negative. That is, a trigger is able to includethe absence of certain parameters. For example, a trigger can onlyindicate desirability to take a medication if the subject is notcurrently operating a motor vehicle, or if the subject is alone with noone else present to accompany/observe them, etc.

The present invention is not particularly limited with regard to whatconstitutes a trigger, and triggers other than those described may beequally suitable. More discussion of potential triggers is presentedlater herein.

Therapeutic events, conditions, and triggers typically are linked, inthat each therapeutic event typically is governed by a trigger which isan event or level of some condition, and each trigger typically governsa therapeutic event. However, a one-to-one correspondence is notrequired (though one-to-one correspondence also is not prohibited). Thatis, a therapeutic event is able to be governed by more than one trigger,and/or a trigger may govern more than one therapeutic event. Likewise, atrigger is able to be considered more than one condition, and a singlecondition may affect more than one trigger.

Continuing in FIG. 1, a prompt is established 114. The prompt is aninvocation of the therapeutic event. That is, if a therapeutic is for asubject to administer a medication, an associated prompt might be a textmessage sent to the subject reminding the subject to administer themedication. Likewise, if a therapeutic event is to measure the pulserate of a subject through some sensor, an associated prompt might be aninstruction to that sensor to execute the measurement.

Typically, a prompt will include delivery of health-related information,instructions, and/or inquiries. For example, information includes asubject's current blood pressure, the airborne pollen count at aparticular time and place, a caution that low air pressure might triggeran asthma attack, etc. Health instructions include a directive toadminister a medication, to engage in or avoid some activity for aperiod of time (e.g. not to sleep or lie down within an hour aftertaking glaucoma medication), to seek out shade (e.g. to avoidoverheating), etc. Health inquiries might include requesting commentsfrom a subject regarding side effects experienced after medication hasbeen taken, asking that a health professional be contacted, acquiringdata through a sensor (e.g. measuring ambient temperature), etc.

Prompts is able to be delivered to persons, devices, and/or entitiesother than the direct subject of the prompt. That is, an instruction toadminister a medication to a first subject might be delivered to asecond subject, e.g. a parent who must administer the medication to achild. As another example, a prompt for a sensor to measure a subject'sblood pressure might be sent to the sensor itself, e.g. if the sensor isalready in a position to take the measurement (such as a sensor on asmart phone, wearable device, etc.).

The present invention is not particularly limited with regard to whatmay constitute a prompt, and prompts other than those described may beequally suitable. More discussion of potential prompts is presentedlater herein.

Prompts are linked with therapeutic events, conditions, and triggers, inthat prompts are invoked by triggers in support of some useful ornecessary therapeutic event. However, as noted previously with regard totherapeutic events, conditions, and triggers, a one-to-onecorrespondence therebetween (though one-to-one correspondence also isnot prohibited).

As a brief illustrative summation, a therapeutic event is a desiredaction or event, a condition is a feature that is to be considered indetermining whether the event or action is desirable, a trigger is thevalue of the condition under which the event or action is desirable, andthe prompt is a message sent or action delivered to invoke the response.

In establishing a therapeutic event 110, establishing a condition 111,establishing a trigger 112, and/or establishing a prompt 114, typicallyalthough not necessarily the therapeutic event, condition, trigger,and/or prompt may be pre-defined, for example as data and/or executableinstructions within a processor. However, the present invention is notparticularly limited with regard to how a therapeutic event, condition,trigger, and/or prompt may be established, and other approaches,including but not limited to communication of a therapeutic event froman external source or determination e.g. by a processor followingexecutable instructions, maybe equally suitable.

Continuing in FIG. 1, a determination is made 120 as to whether atrigger (as established in step 112) is present, and/or is satisfied.For example, if the trigger under consideration is “at 7:00 PM” (withthe condition presumably being “time” for such an instance), thedetermination 120 might constitute a determination as to whether thecurrent time is 7:00 PM.

It will be understood that the particulars of the determination 120 forany particular embodiment will depend at least in part on the nature ofthe condition and trigger associated therewith. However, the presentinvention is not particularly limited insofar as how the determination120 of whether the trigger is present may be carried out. Typicallyalthough not necessarily the determination 120 may be made usingexecutable instructions and/or within a processor. For such embodiments,data used for the determination 120 is able to for example be internal(e.g. time data from an internal chronometer), stored (e.g. data readfrom a hard drive or other data store), external (e.g. data sent from anetwork), experimental (e.g. data obtained from a sensor controlled bythe processor), etc.

If the determination 120 regarding the presence of the trigger ispositive—that is, if the trigger is present and/or satisfied (or stateddifferently the status of the condition is such that the therapeuticevent is to be executed)—the method continues with execution of theprompt 122. For example, the instructions are sent, the sensor readingis taken, etc. as determined by the prompt (established in step 114).

If the determination 120 regarding the presence of the trigger isnegative—if the trigger is not present and/or satisfied (or, the statusof the condition is such that the therapeutic event is not to beexecuted)—the method is shown in FIG. 1 is complete.

However, although FIG. 1 shows the method therein as being completefollowing step 122, it is emphasized that the method in FIG. 1 is anexample only. Other steps, other functions, etc. can be incorporatedinto the method, and/or other methods may be executed in combinationwith the method according to the present invention. In addition, for atleast certain embodiments the method may repeat, e.g. in an ongoing loopback to step 120 so as to determine on an ongoing basis whether thetrigger is present.

Moving on to FIG. 2, therein is shown an example embodiment of a methodfor targeted interactive notification according to the presentinvention, with confirmation incorporated therein.

In the method according to FIG. 2, a therapeutic event is established210, a condition is established 211, a trigger is established 212, and aprompt is established 214. Therapeutic events, conditions, triggers, andprompts have been described previously herein.

The method also includes establishing a confirmation 216. A confirmationis a response to a prompt, typically though not necessarily indicatingthat the prompt has been received and/or that the therapeutic event forwhich the prompt was delivered has been executed.

For example, a confirmation to a prompt to administer a medication mightinclude a text message indicating receipt of the prompt, data from asensor that verifies that the medication has been administered, an imageof the medication container and/or the medication being administered, amessage logging the time at which the medication was administered, etc.

The present invention is not particularly limited with regard to whatmay constitute a confirmation, and confirmations other than thosedescribed may be equally suitable. More discussion of potentialconfirmations is presented later herein.

Confirmations may require deliberate action, e.g. on the part of thesubject of the therapeutic event, and/or may function in asemi-automatic or fully-automatic fashion. It is noted thatconfirmations are not necessarily limited to being sent by the subjectof the therapeutic event, or even by the recipient of the prompt. Forexample, as noted above a prompt to administer medication to a firstsubject such as a child might be sent to a second subject such as aparent; a prompt might similarly be sent by the second subject (theparent) rather than the first subject (the child to whom the medicationis administered). Likewise, confirmations are not necessarily limited tobeing sent to the entity that established that delivers the prompt. Forexample, a therapeutic event might be generated by a computer screenbeing used by a subject, with the confirmation being delivered by smartphone. As another example, a computer at a medical center might send aprompt, while the confirmation is sent to a different computer, adatabase, etc.

Moving on in FIG. 2, a determination is made 220 as to whether thetrigger is present/satisfied. If the trigger is present and/orsatisfied, the method continues with delivering the prompt 222, thencontinuing on to step 226 (below). If the trigger is not present and/orsatisfied, the method proceeds with step 226 (below).

In step 226, a determination is made as to whether the prompt isreceived, and/or as to whether the therapeutic event has been executed.For example, if the prompt is an instruction to administer medication,the confirmation might be that the instruction was received, or that themedication was administered, etc. The particulars of how thedetermination 226 is to be made will depend at least in part on thenature of the confirmation, and/or possibly on the nature of the prompt.Typically, though not necessarily, an automated system may determinewhether a prompt has been received, and/or whether the therapeutic eventassociated therewith has been executed.

If the determination 226 is positive—if the prompt is received and/orthe therapeutic event is executed—then the method proceeds with sendingthe confirmation 228. If the determination 226 is negative—if the promptis not received, and/or the therapeutic event is not executed—then themethod is complete.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that either aconfirmation that a prompt was received will be sent 228, or aconfirmation that the therapeutic event was executed will be sent 228.However, the present invention is not limited only to such alternatives.For example, for certain embodiments a first confirmation might be sent228 regarding receipt of the prompt, with a second confirmation beingsent 228 regarding execution of the therapeutic event. Otherarrangements also may be equally suitable.

With reference now to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in broad terms the examplemethods therein include determining whether some health-related action(the therapeutic event) is called for (the trigger is present), in whichcase a person or other target (the subject) isadvised/instructed/queried regarding the health-related action. For theexample of FIG. 2, some response (the confirmation) is also sent,possibly though not necessarily by the subject to the source of theprompt. However, it is emphasized that these are examples only, andother arrangements may be equally suitable.

Now with reference to FIG. 3, a hardware schematic for an exampleembodiment of an apparatus 340 according to the present invention isshown therein.

The example apparatus 340 includes a processor 342. The processor 342 isadapted to determine the presence of a trigger for a therapeutic event,e.g. a trigger being some value of or event in some condition.Typically, though not necessarily, the processor 342 may store and/orgenerate information regarding therapeutic events, conditions, and/ortriggers, and/or may determine the presence of the trigger usingexecutable instructions instantiated on the processor 342.

The invention is not particularly limited with regard to the choice ofprocessor 342. Suitable data processors 342 include but are not limitedto digital electronic microprocessors. Although the processor 342 isreferred to in at least some places herein as a self-contained physicaldevice for purposes of clarity, this is not required, and otherarrangements is able to be suitable. For example, the processor 342constitutes two or more physical processors working cooperatively, aprocessing capability in a network without a well-defined physical form,etc. Likewise, although data is able to be referred to herein as beingstored on the processor 342, this language should be understood toinclude the use of data stores that physically may be physicallydistinct from the processor 342, such as a hard drive or flash drive incommunication with the processor 342, cloud storage, etc.

The apparatus 340 also includes a prompter 344 in communication with theprocessor 340. The prompter 344 is adapted to deliver a prompt to asubject if the processor determines the presence of the trigger.

The present invention is not particularly limited with regard to thetype of prompter 344. The particulars of a prompter is able to at leastsome degree depend on the nature of the prompt to be delivered (and/orvice versa). The prompter 344 can for example be a visual displayadapted to deliver images, text, animations, etc. Other prompters 344may include, but are not limited to, audio speakers adapted to deliverspeech, tones, music, etc., LEDs or other indicators adapted to serve astell-tales, haptic or tactile systems adapted to vibrate or otherwisegenerate physical sensations, data systems adapted to send data signalsto automated devices such as sensors, etc. These are examples only, andother arrangements may be equally suitable.

Although in FIG. 3 the processor 342 and prompter 344 are shown to be indirect communication, i.e. using wires, this is an example only. Thepresent invention is not particularly limited with regard to howcommunication is executed or what mechanisms are used therefor, andwireless communication and/or other arrangements may be equallysuitable.

Now with reference to FIG. 4, a hardware schematic for another exampleembodiment of an apparatus 440 according to the present invention isshown therein. The example embodiment of an apparatus 440 according tothe present invention as shown therein includes a processor 442 and aprompter 444. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4 the apparatus may includeadditional elements.

For example, the apparatus 440 can include a sensor 446. The sensor 446is able to be adapted to deliver a confirmation that a prompt wasdelivered, and/or to deliver a confirmation that a therapeutic event wasexecuted. For example, considering administration of a medication as atherapeutic event, a sensor 446 in the form of an imager might capturean image indicating that a medication has been administered, a codescanner might detect a bar code, QR code, etc. on a container ofmedication so as to determine that the container was at some positionwithin the scanner's field of view (and thus allowing it to be inferredthat the medication was administered), a pressure or motion sensor onthe medication container might detect characteristic motions of orpressures applied to the container that would correspond withadministration of the medication, etc.

Additionally or alternatively, the sensor 446 may be adapted to sense atrigger for a therapeutic event. Again considering administration of amedication as the relevant therapeutic event, a sensor 446 might detecta level of blood sugar in a subject with diabetes so as to supportdetermination of whether that subject is in need of an insulininjection.

These are examples only, and other sensors 446 and tasks therefore isable to be equally suitable. Although the sensor 446 as shown in FIG. 4is depicted as a camera, the present invention is not limited onlythereto.

The apparatus 440 is able to include an inputter 448. The inputter 448is able to be adapted to accept and/or deliver input from a subject(including but not limited to a person), for example to provide aconfirmation that a prompt was delivered, and/or to deliver aconfirmation that a therapeutic event was executed. For example, akeypad or audio sensor might accept text input or voice responses, etc.An inputter 448 is able to also accept responses if the therapeuticevent is or includes a request for information, for example if thetherapeutic event is a solicitation for patient impressions and/orreports of side effects at various times following administration of amedication the inputter 448 is able to accept such information anddeliver the information to some destination (e.g. the processor 442,some external system, etc.).

Again, these are examples only, and other inputters 448 and taskstherefor is able to be equally suitable. Although the inputter 448 asshown in FIG. 4 is depicted as a keypad, the present invention is notlimited only thereto.

It is noted that certain aspects of the functionality of the sensor 446and the inputter 448 is able to, either individually or collectively, beconsidered to be similar. That is, either or both the sensor 446 and theinputter 448 is able to be adapted to provide confirmation of receipt ofa prompt and/or to provide confirmation of execution of a therapeuticevent. Thus, for at least certain embodiments, the sensor 446 and theinputter 448 is able to be considered and/or referred to, individuallyor collectively, to serve as a confirmer. An embodiment of an apparatus440 thus is able to be considered to include a confirmer even if theapparatus 440 includes only one of a sensor 446 and an inputter 448,and/or for an embodiment of an apparatus 440 having both a sensor 446and an inputter 448 the sensor 446 and inputter 448 collectively may beconsidered a confirmer for that apparatus 440. Nevertheless it is notedthat an apparatus 440 may include a sensor and/or an inputter that doesnot function as a confirmer, while still being within the scope of thepresent invention.

Still with regard to FIG. 4, the apparatus 440 may include acommunicator 450. The inputter 450 may be adapted to communicate withother devices, systems, networks, etc. that are not already incommunication with the processor 442, prompter 444, sensor 446, and/orinputter 448. For example, if the apparatus 440 shown in FIG. 4 isconsidered as a single physical unit, such as a smart phone, thecommunicator 450 may be adapted to provide one-way or two-way wirelesscommunication with other systems, such as a computer at a health carefacility, a cell phone of a friend, caretaker, or health professional,etc.

These are examples for a communicator 450 only, and the presentinvention is not limited only thereto.

As noted above, certain embodiments of an apparatus according to thepresent invention, such as the example embodiment shown in FIG. 4, may(though are not required to be) single physical units such as cellphones. However, other arrangements may be equally suitable.

For example, FIG. 5 shows an arrangement wherein certain elements of anapparatus 540 according to the present invention are, or at least maybe, physically or otherwise distinct.

The apparatus 540 shown in FIG. 5 includes a processor 542, a prompter544, and an inputter 548 (which as noted previously may serve as aconfirmer).

In addition each of the processor 542, prompter 544, and inputter 548 isin communication with a communicator 550A, 550B, and 550C respectively.Thus, each of the processor 542, prompter 544, and inputter 548 (and therespective communicators 550A, 550B, and 550C therefor) may beconsidered as independent devices. For example, the arrangement in FIG.5 might represent a television as the prompter 544, a set-top box havingthe processor 542, and a cell phone, wireless remote, etc. having akeypad as the inputter 548.

In such an arrangement as that described immediately above for FIG. 5,the processor 542 in the set-top box might determine that a trigger ispresent for a therapuetic event, for example that it is 6:00 PM and thusit is time for a subject (presumably one watching or thought to bewatching the television) to administer a glaucoma medication. Theprompter 544 in the form of the television screen might then display atext message, graphic, etc. advising the subject of the need toadminister the medication. The subject could then confirm receipt of theprompt, and/or confirm that the medication had been administered, byentering data on the keypad serving as the inputter 548. Though theindividual processor 542, prompter 544, and inputter 548 are notnecessarily part of the same device, nor necessarily wired together orotherwise directly connected, the processor 542, prompter 544, andinputter 548 may still serve collectively as an apparatus 540 accordingto the present invention (e.g. by communicating via the associatedcommunicators 550A, 550B, and 550C therefor).

Thus, it will be understood that although an apparatus according to thepresent invention may be integrated into a single device, such as a cellphone, an apparatus according to the present invention also includeelements that are physically and/or otherwise separate. Moreover,certain elements may be integrated into one device, while other elementsare separate. For example, a sensor might be disposed in a smart watchor other wrist-mounted device, or in or on a container of medication,while the remaining elements (e.g. processor, prompter, etc.) may beincorporated into a cell phone or other device. The present invention isnot particularly limited with regard to the form of an apparatustherefor, and arrangements other than those described above may beequally suitable.

Now with reference to FIG. 6, although certain embodiments of anapparatus according to the present invention may utilize hardwarededicated to the functions thereof, the present invention may alsoinclude data and/or executable instructions instantiated on moregeneral-purpose processors and/or other hardware. For example, theexample embodiment in FIG. 6 shows an arrangement at least somewhatsimilar to that of FIG. 4, with an apparatus 640 having a processor 642,a prompter 644, a sensor 646, an inputter 648, and a communicator 650.Such hardware components have been described previously herein. However,rather than necessarily requiring dedicated hardware, arrangements suchas that shown in FIG. 6 may form the present invention at least partlyusing data entities, e.g. readable data and/or executable instructions.The example in FIG. 6 shows an arrangement wherein data entities may bedisposed on non-dedicated hardware, including but not limited tohardware such as a cell phone, tablet, smart watch, television, personalcomputer, head mounted display, etc.

For the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the processor 642 has disposedthereon several data entities: a therapeutic event entity 650, a triggerentity 652, a prompt entity 654, a trigger determiner entity 656, and aprompter entity 658. The data entities may be stored information adaptedto be read from, written to, etc. by the processor to inform some taskand/or to record some task, may be executable instructions adapted toperform some task when executed by the processor, or may be other data.

The therapeutic event entity 650 is adapted to provide informationregarding a therapeutic event. For example, a therapeutic event entity650 may include data defining and/or describing some therapeutic event,such as administration of a medication.

The trigger entity 652 is adapted to provide information regarding atrigger for a therapeutic event. To continue the example above, atrigger entity 652 may include a time at which a therapeutic event is tobe executed, and/or a time at which a prompt for the therapeutic eventshould be delivered.

It is noted that the present invention does not necessarily include a“condition entity” (though such would not necessarily be prohibited).The condition, as previously described, may be some parameter such astemperature. For an arrangement wherein, for example, the trigger entityrefers to a specific temperature at which a therapeutic event is to beexecuted, such an arrangement may be sufficient absent some dedicatedentity; the parameter or parameters may, and typically are, sufficientunto themselves (e.g. as features of an environment such as time,temperature, etc).

The prompt entity 654 is adapted to provide information regarding thecontent and/or delivery of a prompt for a therapeutic event. Againfollowing the example above, a prompt entity 654 may include reminderinformation to administer the medication, the form that the informationis to take (text, image, video, etc.), the manner by which theinformation is to be delivered (cell phone display, text message.television crawl feed, etc.).

The trigger determiner entity 656 is adapted to determine whether atrigger for a therapeutic event is satisfied. Typically though notnecessarily the trigger determiner entity 656 will include at least someexecutable instructions adapted to make the relevant determination. Alsotypically though not necessarily the trigger determiner entity 656 mayread from, communicate with, and/or otherwise interact with thetherapeutic event entity 650 and/or the trigger entity 652. Also, thetrigger determiner entity 656 may write to, communicate with, and/orotherwise interact with the prompter entity 658 to as to instructdelivery of the prompt if the trigger determiner entity 656 determinesthat the trigger is satisfied.

The prompter entity 658 is adapted to deliver a prompt related to atherapeutic event (if the trigger determining entity 656 determines thatthe trigger for that therapeutic event is satisfied). Again continuingthe example above the prompter entity 658 may include executableinstructions for outputting a text message reminder to administer amedication, for producing an animation reminder therefor, for producinga crawl feed on a television screen, etc. The prompter entity 658 maycommunicate with the prompt entity 654, for example receivinginformation regarding the form, destination, etc. of the prompt from theprompt entity 654.

Data entities may communicate with elements other than data entitiesdisposed on the processor 642. For example, the trigger determinerentity 656 may communicate with the sensor 646 to receive data regardingwhether trigger is satisfied. As a more concrete example, for atherapeutic event relating to administration of insulin in response toblood sugar levels, the trigger determiner entity 656 might communicatewith a sensor adapted to determine the blood sugar level of a subject.Similarly, a prompter entity 658 may communicate with a sensor 646 todetermine a location of a subject to whom a prompt is to be delivered,etc.

It is emphasized that the preceding descriptions of the therapeuticevent entity 650, trigger entity 652, prompt entity 654, triggerdeterminer entity 656, and prompter entity 658 are examples only, andother arrangements may be equally suitable.

In particular, although for the arrangement shown in FIG. 6 all of thedata entities 650, 652, 654, 656, and 658 are disposed on a singledevice, for other embodiments data entities may be divided amongstmultiple processors 642, multiple devices, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 7, as previously described the present inventionmay be adapted, but is not required to be adapted, to enableconfirmation of a prompt and/or confirmation of a therapeutic action.The example arrangement in FIG. 7 is so adapted. Therein, an apparatus740 is shown with a processor 742, a prompter 744, a sensor 746, aninputter 748, and a communicator 750. A therapeutic event entity 750,trigger entity 752, prompt entity 754, trigger determiner entity 756,and prompter entity 758 are instantiated on the processor 742.

In addition, a confirmation determiner entity 760 and a confirmer entity762 are also disposed on the processor 742.

The confirmation determiner entity 760 is adapted to determine whether aprompt has been received, and/or whether a therapeutic event has beenexecuted. Typically though not necessarily the confirmation determinerentity 760 will include at least some executable instructions adapted tomake the relevant determination. Also, the trigger determiner entity 762may write to, communicate with, and/or otherwise interact with theconfirmer entity 762 to as to instruct delivery of the confirmation ifthe confirmation determiner entity 760 determines that the prompt hasbeen received, and/or that the therapeutic event has been executed.

The confirmer entity 762 is adapted to deliver a confirmation that aprompt has been received, and/or to deliver a confirmation that atherapeutic event has been executed (if the confirmation determinerentity 762 determines that the prompt has been received, and/or that thetherapeutic event has been executed). It is noted that the confirmerentity is not required to send a confirmation externally, or to anyparticular destination; for at least certain embodiments a confirmationmight simply be recorded to a hard drive or other data store, or notedand retained within the processor, etc. However, sending a confirmationto an external destination also is not excluded, and confirmations maybe sent for example to external databases, to health professionals, tofriends or caretakers, etc.

Furthermore, confirmation may take the form of a message to the subjectof the prompt himself or herself. For example, for an arrangementwherein a cell phone or other portable device sends a prompt, thatdevice might itself display to the subject confirmation, e.g. by turningon an LED or other telltale, by displaying a confirmation message, etc.Potentially but not necessarily such subject-directed confirmation maybe combined with other confirmation, for example the subject mightreceive a message so that the subject is aware that the administrationof medication has been confirmed and logged by the apparatus, etc.

In addition, it may for at least some embodiments be possible for aconfirmation to be created, sent, etc. without the use of either or bothof a confirmation determiner entity 760 and a confirmer entity 762. Forexample, a confirmation may be sent through the actions of the subjectof the person receiving the prompt (or some other person, system, etc.),e.g. by being keyed in on an inputter 748. In such instance, theconfirmation may not utilize (and/or may not require the presence of) aconfirmation determiner entity 760 or a confirmer entity 762, since thesubject may determine whether the prompt has been received and/orwhether the therapeutic event has been executed, and the subject maylikewise deliver the confirmation thereof. Confirmation thus might beenabled by an arrangement such as shown in FIG. 6, as well.

Turning now to FIG. 8, therein is shown an example method forestablishing on a processor, and/or on a device including a processortherein, a capability for targeted interactive health statusnotification according to the present invention.

In the example method of FIG. 8, a therapeutic event entity isinstantiated on a processor 866. The therapeutic event entity includesdata and/or executable instructions adapted for establishing atherapeutic event. A therapeutic event entity according to the presentinvention has been previously described herein.

The present invention is not particularly limited with regard to thesource of the therapeutic event entity and/or data and/or executableinstructions thereof. Typically, though not necessarily, the translationdeterminer might be instantiated 866 onto the processor from a datastore such as a hard drive, solid state drive, etc., or from acommunications link such as wifi, a wired connection, etc. However,these are examples only, and other arrangements may be equally suitable.(These comments likewise apply to similar steps in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9herein, in that the present invention is not particularly limited withregard to sources for information associated therewith.)

Continuing in FIG. 8, a trigger entity is instantiated on the processor868. The trigger entity includes data and/or executable instructionsadapted for establishing a trigger. A trigger entity according to thepresent invention has been previously described herein.

A prompt entity is instantiated on the processor 870. The prompt entityincludes data and/or executable instructions adapted for establishing aprompt. A prompt entity according to the present invention has beenpreviously described herein.

A trigger determiner entity is instantiated on the processor 872. Thetrigger determiner entity includes data and/or executable instructionsadapted for determining the presence of a trigger for a therapeuticevent. A trigger determiner entity according to the present inventionhas been previously described herein.

A prompter entity is instantiated on the processor 874. The prompterentity includes data and/or executable instructions adapted fordelivering a prompt. A prompter entity according to the presentinvention has been previously described herein.

Although FIG. 8 shows the method therein as being complete followingstep 874, it is emphasized that the method in FIG. 8 is an example only.Other steps, other functions, etc. may be incorporated into the method,and/or other methods may be executed in combination with the methodaccording to the present invention. For example, for at least someembodiments other executable instructions and/or data may beinstantiated onto the processor, whether related to the method stepsdescribed herein or otherwise.

Referring now to FIG. 9, therein is shown an example method forestablishing on a processor, and/or on a device including a processortherein, a capability for targeted interactive health statusnotification with confirmation according to the present invention.

In the example method of FIG. 9, a therapeutic event entity isinstantiated on a processor 966. A trigger entity also is instantiatedon the processor 968. A prompt entity is instantiated on the processor970. A trigger determiner entity is instantiated on the processor 972. Aprompter entity is instantiated on the processor 974.

Continuing in FIG. 9, a confirmation determiner entity is instantiatedon the processor 976. The confirmation determiner entity includes dataand/or executable instructions adapted for determining whether a prompthas been received, and/or for determining whether a therapeutic eventhas been executed. A confirmation determiner entity according to thepresent invention has been previously described herein.

A confirmer entity is instantiated on the processor 978. The confirmerentity includes data and/or executable instructions adapted fordelivering a confirmation that a prompt has been received, and/or that atherapeutic event has been executed. A confirmer entity according to thepresent invention has been previously described herein.

Although FIG. 9 shows the method therein as being complete followingstep 978, it is emphasized that the method in FIG. 9 is an example only.Other steps, other functions, etc. may be incorporated into the method,and/or other methods may be executed in combination with the methodaccording to the present invention. For example, for at least someembodiments other executable instructions and/or data may beinstantiated onto the processor, whether related to the method stepsdescribed herein or otherwise.

At this point it may be illuminating to describe the appearance and/orfunction of certain particular embodiments of the present invention,and/or portions of the embodiments. It is emphasized that the presentinvention is not limited only to such specifically-describedembodiments.

One example embodiment of an apparatus according to the presentinvention might include data and/or executable instructions instantiatedon a portable and/or wearable electronic device such as a smart phone,tablet, smart watch, head mounted display, etc. In such an arrangement,all or substantially all elements of an apparatus according to thepresent invention might be incorporated therein, and all orsubstantially steps of a method according to the present invention mightbe performed thereby. For example, a smart phone may include aprocessor, a screen and speaker that may serve as a prompter, one ormore sensors (motion sensors, a camera, etc.), a keypad, touch screen,microphone, etc. that may serve as an inputter, wireless telephoneand/or data links that may serve as a communicator, etc. Such anarrangement has been referred to previously herein.

For such an arrangement, with an integrated portable device such as asmart phone, consider as an example administration of a glaucomamedication, the medication being in the form of eye drops dispensed froma squeeze bottle. Administration of the glaucoma medication would, inthis example, be the therapeutic event. The trigger might be, or atleast might include, a time; smart phones frequently include thereininternal chronometers (e.g. integrated into the CPU), thus enablingdetermination of whether the current time satisfies the trigger. Theprompt could then be a visual message shown in the smart phones displayscreen, which could be displayed to advise a subject such as the user ofthe smart phone that it is time to administer the glaucoma medication.Confirmation might for example include a key press, voice input, etc.Confirmation could be logged or forwarded to some other device, so as toprovide a record that the glaucoma medication was administered, the timethat the glaucoma medication was administered, etc.

Such an arrangement may be targeted to an individual patient withglaucoma, and/or to his or her particular medical status, specificprescriptions, and so forth. Furthermore, such an arrangement alsoenables data logging and/or other confirmations that the glaucomamedication has been taken, and/or has been taken on time. Such featuresmay be useful, at least because for certain medications and medicalissues carefully following a treatment regimen may be vital tosuccessful management or cure. Notably, glaucoma is one such. Glaucomatypically is asymptomatic in the short term; persons with glaucoma mayexperience no pain, or other noticeable difficulties. Glaucoma is alsofrequently readily treatable, with regular doses of medication allowingmany persons with glaucoma to remain mostly or entirely asymptomatic.However, missing or delaying doses of glaucoma medication can haveextremely serious medical consequences, ultimately including severe lossof eyesight, but those consequences are often sufficiently delayed thatthey may not be useful as reminders to take the medication, or to takethe medication on time.

Thus, for at least certain health concerns, scrupulous adherence to aprescribed regimen of medical treatment may be extremely effective,while deviations from such a regimen may result in severe healthconsequence. Glaucoma, while one such health concern, is an exampleonly, and other therapeutic events may be of similar concern.

Another example embodiment of an apparatus according to the presentinvention might include at least some elements thereof distributed todifferent physical devices. For example, one or more motion sensorsmight be disposed in a wearable wrist device (e.g. a pedometer, exercisesensor, smart watch, etc.) while other elements such as the processor,prompter, etc. could be in another device such as a smart phone, tablet,laptop or desktop computer, etc. Note that the inclusion of sensors inone device does not preclude the inclusion of sensors in another device;a wrist device might include accelerometers, gyroscopes, etc., while asmart phone providing a processor might also incorporate similarsensors. For at least certain embodiments, placement of sensors incertain locations, for example on the wrist or arm, may be useful insensing motions that are sufficiently specific and/or characteristic asto identify certain activities, including but not limited to therapeuticevents. For example, hand and arm motions for administering eye drops(e.g. as glaucoma medication) may be sufficiently characteristic forsuch purposes. More regarding characteristic motions and otheractivities is described later herein.

Yet another example of an apparatus according to the present inventionmight include sensors might distributed on a specialized device,including but not limited to a medical device. For example, sensors fordetecting motion, contact, pressure, etc. might be disposed on amedication container, and/or on some fitting attached to the medicationcontainer. As a more concrete example, a deformable collar withaccelerometers, gyroscopes, deformation sensors, etc. might be engagedwith a squeeze bottle for administering eye drops such as glaucomamedication. For such an arrangement, characteristic motions of thebottle as a subject lifts, tilts, and/or squeezes the bottle to apply adrop to his or her eye might be used to confirm administration of themedication. As noted above with regard to wrist-mounted sensors, the useof such a collar would not necessarily preclude the use of some otherdevice, such as a smart phone, to provide elements such as a processor,etc.

Still another example of an apparatus according to the present inventionmay include prompters that are physically distinct from at least someother elements. For example, a television, PC monitor, or other displayscreen might be utilized as a prompter. For a television, a processor(if not present in the television) might take the form of a set-top box.For a PC or other device (including certain televisions) a processorsuitable for the present invention may be present therein. Regardless,the television, monitor, etc. may deliver a prompt to a user, eventhough the processor may be in a distinct device.

It is noted that for each such example, although presented in terms ofhardware, a method according to the present invention likewise might beexecuted on such hardware.

For example, a cell phone might establish a therapeutic event, trigger,and prompt thereon, determine whether the trigger is present, prompt asubject, and/or confirm or accept confirmation of the prompt and/orexecution of the therapeutic event (such as administration of amedication), as an integrated device (e.g. with executable instructionsfor carrying out the method instantiated on the smart phone processor).

Similarly, sensors disposed on a wrist band might determine whether atrigger is present, whether a therapeutic event has been executed(whether a medication has been administered, etc.), and so forth. Othersteps of the method might be carried out on the wrist band, or onanother device such as a smart phone, tablet, PC, etc.

Likewise, sensors disposed on a medication container might determinewhether a therapeutic event has been executed (e.g. by sensing themanipulation of the medication container), etc. Other steps of themethod again might be carried out on the medication container (or deviceengaged therewith), or on another device such as a smart phone, tablet,PC, etc.

Further, prompts might be delivered on a television screen, monitor,etc., with other steps potentially being carried out on other devicessuch as a set-top box, computer CPU, etc.

A more detailed explanation of certain steps and features of the presentinvention now follows, as referenced earlier herein.

With regard to therapeutic events, the present invention may encompass alarge range of potential therapeutic events. Notably, a therapeuticevent according to the present invention may include administration of amedication. Substantially any medication might be administered as atherapeutic event, including but not limited to pills, capsules,liquids, and other oral medications, injections, dermal patches,eyedrops, topical applications (ointments, etc.), vapors (such as anasthma inhalant), etc. Other forms of medication may be equallysuitable.

In addition, therapeutic events may include non-medication events. Forexample, a therapeutic event may include utilizing a medical device,such as wearing an orthodontic retainer or a carpal tunnel brace. Asanother example, a therapeutic event may include acquiring data, forexample conducting a measurement (either with an automatic system, asperformed by a person, etc.). More concrete examples might includemeasuring blood pressure, measuring heart rate, measuring bodytemperature, etc. However, it is emphasized that acquiring data is notlimited only to data regarding a human subject. Measuring airtemperature, pollen count, ultraviolet intensity, etc. may also beequally suitable. Moreover, data acquisition is not limited to testingor measurement, and may include querying patients or other subjects forcomments, obtaining information from databases, and other dataacquisition approaches.

As yet another example, therapeutic events may include activities orbehaviors, including but not limited to activities or behaviors to beperformed by, or to be avoided by, a patient or other subject. As moreconcrete examples, a subject might be expected to perform some exercise,eat or drink, sleep, to take a rest break from performing some activity(such as typing for an individual prone to carpal tunnel syndrome), etc.Conversely, a subject might be expected to avoid direct sunlight (forexample if taking a medication increasing ultraviolet sensitivity), torefrain from operating heavy machinery, to avoid lying down (for exampleto avoid complications from certain medications wherein position,internal pressure, etc. may play a role), or even to leave an area withhigh levels of pollutants (for example going indoors during high-ozoneperiods if a subject is prone to asthma).

For at least some embodiments, a therapeutic event may include a subjectbeing made aware of a risk, benefit, etc. For example, an individualprone to asthma might be made aware of an increased risk of asthmaattacks at high elevations, a diabetic might be made aware of unusuallyhigh sugar content in certain foods, a person with allergies might bemade aware of a high pollen count, etc. In such cases the considerationof information may itself constitute a therapeutic event, regardless ofwhether any visible physical action is to be performed.

It is noted that therapeutic events are not necessarily limited topersonal events. For example, a subject might be advised of the need toadminister a medication to some other subject (such as a parentadministering a medication to a young child).

The present invention is not particularly limited as to what usages ofmedical devices, measurements, exercises, behaviors, etc. may besuitable as therapeutic events. Furthermore, the present invention isnot limited only to such therapeutic events as described herein.

Now with regard to triggers and conditions therefor, the presentinvention may encompass a wide range of potential triggers, and a widerange of conditions for such triggers. As previously described, acondition in the present invention includes parameters that may berelevant to a health matter, while a trigger includes some level,behavior, pattern, etc. in a phenomenon that may make a therapeuticevent necessary and/or desirable.

For example, conditions may include factors such as time, location of asubject, location of other persons, objects, or phenomena, etc.Conditions may also include bio-information and/or medical parameters,such as a subject's blood pressure, blood sugar level, blood oxygenlevel, pulse, body temperature, etc. Conditions may includeenvironmental conditions, such as air temperature, air pressure,humidity, pollen count, ultraviolet light level, ozone level, etc.

Conditions also may include properties of persons, objects, etc. Forexample, for a person with a peanut allergy the composition of foodsnearby—i.e., the presence and/or concentration of peanut productstherein—may be of relevance to his or her health.

Conditions may also include the presence or absence of persons, animals,objects, etc. For example, the presence of a cat could potentially berelevant to the health of persons with allergies to cats, persons withasthma, etc. Similarly, the presence of bees might be relevant to thehealth persons sensitive to bee stings.

Conditions further may include behaviors, whether of the person for whomthe health matter is of potential concern or of other persons, animals,etc. For example, whether a person is standing, sitting, or lying downmay be relevant to the performance of certain medications (such as someglaucoma medications). Likewise whether a person is jogging or otherwiseexercising, or has recently, or appears to be preparing to do so, may berelevant at least for the performance of certain medications. Whether aperson nearby is smoking may be relevant to the health of a personsensitive to second-hand smoke (such as persons with asthma).

The present invention is not particularly limited with regard to whatconditions may be considered, and/or to how those conditions may bedetermined.

Now with regard to triggers, as previously noted triggers may includestates, levels, patterns, etc. within relevant conditions, whereinwhether a particular trigger is satisfied may serve as a determinationas to whether a therapeutic event is necessary or desirable. It may besaid that a trigger is the threshold at which a particular therapeuticevent is to be performed.

It will be understood that triggers may depend to at least some degreeon the therapeutic condition in question. Likewise, triggers may dependto at least some degree on the condition in question. For example, withregard to time as a condition, a trigger might be the current time, orsome relative time such as how long some condition has persisted (e.g.how long a subject has been asleep), how long since a medication waslast administered, etc.

Conditions and triggers may to at least some degree be interrelated. Forexample, if the trigger for taking a medication (a therapeutic event) isthe amount of time elapsed since the last dose, the trigger depends bothon time and on previous behavior (that is, when the last does wasadministered).

Returning to examples of triggers, for bio-information triggers mayinclude consideration of the level of some parameter, such as themagnitude of a subject's blood pressure, whether the blood pressureexceeds some maximum or is below some minimum, the degree of variationin blood pressure over time, etc. Likewise, for certain forms ofbio-information patterns may be considered, such as the “shape” of aheartbeat (e.g. the waveform generated by an electrocardiogram), and/orthe change in such shape, as well as features such as the heart rateitself.

Now with respect to prompts, a prompt is a vehicle by which atherapeutic event is “invoked”. That is, a prompt is the means by whicha therapeutic event is caused or suggested to be executed.

Typically a prompt may include delivery of information to a subject,delivery of instructions to a subject, execution of some test,measurement, etc. to obtain information, or querying of a subject toobtain information. However, the present invention may accommodate otheroptions as well. For example, under certain conditions a prompt mightinclude establishing a communication link, for example between a patientand a health care provider.

As has been stated, prompts are not necessarily directed towards thesubject for whom the health matter is directly applicable. For example,a prompt might be sent to inform emergency services that a subject knownto have a heart condition is experiencing potentially dangerous heartactivity, or a prompt might be sent to a parent to advise him or herregarding the administration of medication to a young child.

In addition, a prompt may define the manner by which a therapeutic eventis invoked. That is, for example considering delivery of instructions toa subject, a prompt may include therein definitions for and/or adescription of how those instructions are to be delivered to thesubject. As a more concrete example, considering as a therapeutic eventthe administration of medication, and a prompt including instructions toadminister the medication, the prompt might include not only theinstructions to the subject but also an indication that the instructionsare to be delivered as a text message, as an animation, as a voiceoutput, etc. Similarly, the prompt might include an indication that theinstructions are to be delivered via a smart phone, via a televisionscreen, etc. For certain embodiments the manner by which a therapeuticevent is prompted may be variable or conditional, for example a promptmight be delivered as an animation to a smart phone display if it isknown, determined, suspected, etc. that the subject has a smart phone onand nearby, but might be delivered as a text crawl to a televisionscreen if it is known, determined, suspected, etc. that the subject iswatching television. Likewise, a prompt might not be delivered at all ifit is known, determined, suspected that the prompt itself might presenta health risk, e.g. by distracting a subject who is driving a vehicle.

A prompt may be detailed and/or complex, for example a comprehensivedescription of heart behavior for the past 24 hours. However, a promptalso may be extremely simple. For example, a medication container ordevice engaged therewith might include an LED or other telltale, whereinthe LED is normally off but turns on as a prompt to take a medication(or is on but changes color, etc.). Similarly, a prompt delivered usinga cell phone might simply be a graphic that appears on the displaythereof, a brief audible message, a vibration, etc.

Simple prompts may be useful for at least certain embodiments. Forexample, for a patient taking eye medication, it may be more likely thatsuch a patient has vision that is or may become at least somewhatimpaired. Likewise, increasing age may correspond in at least some caseswith a combination of reduced visual acuity and increased need formedication. A prompt such as a colored or flashing LED may be readilynoticed as compared, for example, with printed instructions,particularly such instructions as may utilize in fine print tocompensate for limited space (e.g. a label on a medication container).

However, complex and/or sophisticated prompts may also be equallysuitable, and the present invention is not particularly limited withregard to the complexity of the prompt (nor likewise with regard to thecomplexity of the therapeutic event, condition, trigger, confirmation,etc.).

Now with consideration to confirmations, a confirmation is a response toa prompt, for example confirming receipt of the prompt (thus perhapsimplicitly confirming knowledge of information therein, etc.) and/orconfirming execution of a therapeutic event referred to in a prompt.

Confirmations may be manual, that is, consciously or deliberately sentby a user in response to a prompt. For example, a user receiving aprompt by text message to administer a medication might send a textmessage (or some other message) in reply to indicate that the prompt wasreceived, that the medication was administered, etc. Manualconfirmations may be useful at least insofar as manual confirmationsenable active user participation. That is, a user who is deliberatelysending a confirmation may, if necessary and/or desirable, tailor amessage and/or destination thereof to special circumstances. Forexample, a user sending a confirmation to a prompt to administer amedication might describe difficulties in administering the medication,might record what he or she was doing when the medication wasadministered, might describe side effects thought to be associated withthe medication, might inquire for additional information orinstructions, etc.

However, confirmations also may be partially or entirely automated. Forexample, sensors in a smart phone, a smart watch, a sensored wrist band,a medication container, etc. might automatically determine whether atherapeutic event has been executed. As a more concrete example,considering administration of a medication as a desired therapeuticevent, sensors in the medication container might automatically indicatewhether the medication is administered, for example by sensingcharacteristic motions, manipulations, etc. of the container that areassociated with administration of the medication. Automaticconfirmations may be useful at least insofar as automatic confirmationsenable confirmation of a therapeutic event without requiring theattention and time of a user. If a confirmation is generated andtransmitted automatically, then a user cannot forget to send theconfirmation, send the confirmation incorrectly, send the confirmationto the wrong destination, etc. Likewise, a user does not have to devotetime, concentration, or effort to sending a confirmation if theconfirmation is sent automatically.

As previously noted with regard to prompts, confirmations likewise maybe either complex or simple. Confirmations may for example utilizesophisticated approaches such as image analysis for object recognition,action recognition, etc. However, confirmations also may be extremelysimple. Continuing with the example regarding images, simpleconfirmations might include, but are not limited to, using an imager todetect an LED, possibly an LED with a particular color or blinking orotherwise changing in some pattern, using an imager to read a bar code,QR code, etc. Such an LED, bar code, QR code, etc. might be disposed ona medication container or therapeutic instrument, for example. It isnoted that certain recognizable features suited for confirmation mayalready be available, for example medication containers and medicalinstruments may already have bar code markings thereon, so that thepresent invention might utilize such markings without any modificationsto existing medication containers, instruments, etc. However,arrangements wherein dedicated features may be utilized are not excludedfrom the present invention.

Notably, a confirmation according to the present invention may also benegative. That is, the confirmation may include a reply indicating thatsome event did not take place, etc. For example, a user receiving aprompt to administer a medication at a particular time might send aconfirmation message indicating that the medication was not administeredat that time, perhaps also indicating that the medication has alreadybeen administered, that the medication is unavailable, that conditionsexist such that administering the medication is impossible orundesirable, etc. Thus, although a confirmation may typically beconsidered as a vehicle for indicating that an action has taken place,the present invention includes arrangements wherein a confirmationindicates that some action has not taken place.

It is noted that at least certain steps in a method according to thepresent invention may carry information, medical or otherwise, that maybe of value beyond the immediate therapeutic action associatedtherewith. For example, a common concern in determining theeffectiveness and/or side effects of medications, medical devices,therapies, etc. is lack of data regarding such matters as when themedication (for example) was administered, what the user was doing atthe time, what the user was doing before and after, what ambientconditions were present, what side effects occurred and when, etc. Incertain cases, such as hospital care, at least some such information maybe obtained through direct observation, control of the environment, andso forth. However, medical care, including but not limited to theadministration of prescription medications, frequently occurs outside ofhospitals and away from medical supervision.

The present invention enables such data collection even in uncontrolledenvironments, for example for patients taking medication at home. In thepresent invention, a prompt is sent; that prompt typically includeswell-defined information: a subject is to administer a specificmedication at a specific time in a specific dose, possibly underspecific conditions, etc. For at least certain embodiments of thepresent invention, a confirmation likewise may be sent, again typicallywith well-defined information: what medication in fact was administered,at what time, at what location, in what dose, under what conditions,with what side effects, with the patient in what condition (bodyposition, heart rate, blood oxygen level, etc.), etc. Such detailedinformation, regarding either or both the prompt and the confirmation,may be useful at insofar as informing activities including but notlimited to medical research.

Collection of such data may be incorporated seamlessly into the presentinvention, by selections regarding such features as the prompt and (ifpresent) the confirmation. For example, as noted a prompt may includeinformation regarding where the prompt is to be delivered (e.g. a smartphone, a television set, a PC monitor, etc.), how the prompt is to bedelivered (e.g. as text, as image data, etc.), and/or what content theprompt may include therein (e.g. information for the subject,instructions to the subject, a time stamp indicating the time the promptwas sent, etc.). A prompt (or at least some portion of informationtherein) may therefor readily be sent to both a subject and a database,researcher, computer system, etc., while remaining within the scope ofthe present invention. Alternatively, one prompt might be sent to onesubject such as a patient, while another prompt is sent to anothersubject such as a physician, a data file, etc. Likewise, confirmationsand some or all information therein might be sent to one subject (e.g. apatient), and one or more other subjects (a caregiver, a friend, amedical research database, etc.) in addition to or instead of thepatient.

In addition, it is noted that the present invention is not limited onlyto collecting information in support of determining the presence of atrigger, and/or confirming the receipt of a prompt, and/or confirmingexecution of a therapeutic event. As has been previously described,information may be so collected, and such information may also beapplied for other purposes including but not limited to health relatedapplications. However, additional information may be collected,regardless of whether such information is directly related todetermining the presence of a trigger, and/or confirming the receipt ofa prompt, and/or confirming execution of a therapeutic event.

For example, given a capability of the present invention to determinewhether a trigger is present, such capability may be utilized foradditional data collection. As a more concrete example, if an embodimentof the present invention considers the blood sugar level of a subject aspart of determining a trigger (e.g. for a case wherein the trigger issatisfied when the subject's blood sugar exceeds some maximum or fallsbelow some minimum), some capability to determine the subject's bloodsugar level presumably may be available as part of the present invention(including but not limited to sensors that monitor the subject's bloodsugar level). Under such circumstances, certain embodiments of thepresent invention may monitor, record, log, etc. the subject's bloodsugar at intervals, substantially continuously, etc. Even if the data soobtained never satisfies a trigger condition, such data may be collectedand/or transmitted to a database or other subject while remaining withinthe scope of the present invention.

Moreover, it is noted that the present invention is not limited tocollecting such additional information only regarding conditionsutilized by a trigger and/or a confirmation. To continue the aboveexample, even if blood pressure and heart rate are not considered indetermining whether a trigger is satisfied or whether a confirmation issent, certain embodiments of the present invention may neverthelessrecord blood pressure, heart rate, etc.

Such additional data may be useful, at least for certain embodiments.For example, one difficulty in determining effectiveness, side effects,etc. for a therapeutic event such as administration of a medication islack of information regarding when the medication was administered, howthe mediation was administered, etc. The present invention may enableconvenient collection of such information, potentially assisting indetermination of the effectiveness and/or safety of medications, etc.Moreover, the present invention may collect such potentially usefulinformation regardless of whether the information is immediately relatedto triggers, confirmations, etc. Such data collection may beparticularly advantageous, for example, in cases wherein medications orother therapies are in initial testing, such as part of pharmaceuticalresearch, etc.

Many factors may, for example, affect the safety and effectiveness oftherapeutic events. For example, what a subject receiving medicationeats and when, when a subject sleeps and in what position, what othermedications (if any) the subject takes, in what does, and when, whatenvironmental factors exist near the subject, what activities thesubject engages in, etc. may potentially affect how well medicationswork, what side effects are present and how serious those side effectsare, etc. Through collecting data on such factors, the present inventionmay enable control of variables without the use of a controlled testpopulation (e.g. volunteers in prisons), and without either limiting theactivities of the subjects or imposing problematic levels ofrecord-keeping on the subjects (that is, subjects would not need torecord their blood pressure or the ambient temperature if such data isalready being recorded). Such factors may be utilized for triggers,confirmations, etc., but may also be of use when not so utilized.

It is noted that certain embodiments of the present invention mayalready incorporate sensors and/or sensor capabilities suited forsupporting such data collection. For example, as noted the presentinvention may be implemented utilizing a device such as a smart phone.Smart phones typically include sensors such as imagers, audio sensors,accelerometers, gyroscopes, etc., and/or other sensors. Thussupplemental data capabilities as described above may in at leastcertain embodiments be implemented using capabilities already present(though the utilization of additional data collection capabilities, suchas supplemental sensors, also is not excluded).

Ownership of data, regardless of whether such data is related totriggers, confirmations, etc., may remain with the source and/or subjectthereof. That is, sharing information contained within a prompt orconfirmation, or otherwise obtained, does not necessarily imply atransfer of ownership of the information, and the subject of suchinformation (e.g. an individual patient) may retain some or all rightsthereto. Information so shared or delivered might even be handled as atransaction, e.g. a company engaged in medical research regarding a drugor procedure might pay for the data on a per-prompt or per-confirmationbasis (or using other arrangements such as a flat fee, monthly fee,etc.).

Information likewise may be anonymized by removal of certain data (e.g.cell phone numbers, names, electronic addresses, etc. that might beassociated with some subject) so as to maintain privacy of subjectswhile still enabling collection of useful data. Similarly, information(including but not limited to prompts and confirmations) may beencrypted or otherwise protected from interception, for example toretain privacy, and/or may be code-stamped or otherwise identified (forexample using some mathematical key or algorithm to demonstrate validitywithout necessarily making the data traceable to an individual) so to asto increase confidence that the information therein is valid rather thanspurious or fraudulent.

These are examples only, and other approaches for handling and/orutilizing data within the scope of the present invention may be equallysuitable.

Now with reference to FIG. 10, as has been stated previously the presentinvention is not particularly limited with regard to the content of aprompt, and/or the manner in which a prompt may display information,deliver instructions, etc. For at least certain embodiments, a promptmay be delivered in such fashion as to be contextually relevant and/orrecognizable.

For example, consider an arrangement wherein a subject is to be promptedwith instructions to take a glaucoma medication (i.e. the therapeuticevent is for the subject to administer the medication). FIG. 10 shows anexample arrangement wherein a prompt might be delivered in a fashionthat is contextually relevant to glaucoma, and/or readily recognizableto a subject under treatment for glaucoma.

In the example of FIG. 10 (and in certain subsequent images) a screenimage such as might be displayed on a cell phone is illustrated. As hasbeen noted, certain embodiments of the present invention may utilize acell phone, e.g. instantiating executable instructions adapted toexecute a method according to the present invention on the processorthereof. However, it is emphasized that the present invention is notlimited only to cell phones.

In FIG. 10, an image 1080 is shown displayed. The image 1080 is abaseline image, that is, the image is shown in a “normal” mode, i.e.without modification such as by a prompt according to the presentinvention.

Now with reference to FIG. 11, as may be seen an image 1180 is againshown therein. The image 1180 in FIG. 11 is visibly at least somewhatsimilar to the baseline image 1080 shown in FIG. 10. However, as alsomay be seen in FIG. 11, two additional features, referred to herein asprompting features 1182A and 1182B, also are visible therein.

The prompting features 1182A and 1182B are adapted attract an attentionof a subject, e.g. a subject viewing the image 1180. In the examplearrangement shown in FIG. 11, the prompting features 1182A and 1182B aremore particularly adapted to attract a subject's attention by obscuringthe image 1180. Notably, the prompting features 1182A and 1182B obscurean extreme periphery of the image 1180, while leaving the majority ofthe image 1180 (including the central portion of the image) 1180unobscured.

It is noted that glaucoma typically obscures a person's sight beginningat the periphery thereof. That is, some or all of the peripheral visionis lost first, while the central vision may remain unobscured. Thus, thearrangement shown in FIG. 11—wherein the periphery of an image 1180 isobscured by prompting features 1182A and 1182B—is to at least somedegree similar to and/or evocative of the medical effects of glaucoma.For a subject with glaucoma, and for whom a therapeutic event is toadminister a glaucoma medication, the prompting features 1182A and 1182Bshown in FIG. 11 may therefor be considered to be contextually relevantto the subject's glaucoma. More generally, the prompt being deliveredmay be considered to be contextually relevant to the therapeutic event.

Turning now to FIG. 12, therein an image 1280 may be seen with promptingfeatures 1282A and 1282B. The image 1280 and prompting features 1282Aand 1282B may be seen to be at least somewhat similar to those in FIG.11, however in FIG. 12 the prompting features 1282A and 1282B obscure alarger portion of the image 1280, thus at least arguably being morenoticeable and/or more readily attracting a subject's attention.

Similarly, in FIG. 13 therein an image 1380 may be seen with promptingfeatures 1382A and 1382B. The image 1380 and prompting features 1382Aand 1382B may be seen to be at least somewhat similar to those in FIG.12, however yet again in FIG. 13 the prompting features 1382A and 1382Bobscure a still larger portion of the image 1380, thus at least arguablybeing still more noticeable and/or still more readily attracting asubject's attention.

Considering FIG. 10 through FIG. 13 collectively as a time-sequence, itmay be seen that the images shown therein are progressively obscured bythe prompting features in a fashion resembling the progressive loss ofeyesight associated with glaucoma. Thus, FIG. 10 through FIG. 13 mayrepresent a prompting to a subject to administer a glaucoma medication,that prompting being contextually relevant at least insofar as theprompting to take the medication resembles the effect of the user nottaking the medication. Moreover, if the subject does not administer themedication, the degradation of the image as time passes resembles theloss of the subject's eyesight over time. (Conversely, if the subjectdoes administer the medication—e.g. a confirmation indicates that thetherapeuetic event has been executed—the prompting effects seen in FIG.10 through FIG. 13 may be reversed, may terminate, etc.)

Contextually relevant prompting may be useful, at least insofar as insuch case the prompt may be particularly functional by virtue ofpsychological impact. For example, a subject may less readily ignore oroverlook a prompt that resembles or evokes a health problem from whichthat subject suffers (and/or may suffer by ignoring the prompt) than amore abstract prompt such as a simple icon, text message, etc. Also, adevice displaying such images may become progressively more difficult touse with increasingly prominent prompt features displayed thereon,and/or with other contextually relevant prompting delivered to a subjecttherethrough. However, it is emphasized that the present invention isnot limited only to contextually relevant prompting, and otherarrangements may be equally suitable.

In addition, while the arrangement shown in FIG. 10 through FIG. 13 mayillustrate a particular arrangement for contextually relevant promptingaccording to the present invention, the present invention is not limitedonly thereto. Other contextually relevant prompting arrangements,whether for glaucoma and/or for other conditions and/or therapeuticevents, may be equally suitable.

For example, turning now to FIG. 14, therein another baseline image 1480is shown, i.e. the image 1480 is without modification such as by aprompt according to the present invention.

In FIG. 15, an image 1580 is shown that is at least somewhat similar tothe image 1480 in FIG. 14. However, FIG. 15 also includes a promptingfeature 1582A therein, obscuring a portion of the image 1580 in theperiphery thereof.

Again with reference to glaucoma, in certain cases glaucoma manifests asdiscrete regions of lost and/or impaired sight, referred to as“scotomas” (singular “scotoma”). Scotomas associated with glaucomatypically appear in a subject's peripheral vision first, potentiallyincreasing in size, number, and/or severity, while also appearing in thecentral vision as well as the peripheral vision. The prompting feature1582A, in obscuring a discrete portion of the periphery of the image1580, thus is at least somewhat similar to and/or evocative of a scotomaas might manifest as an early symptom of glaucoma. Thus, the arrangementshown in FIG. 15 may be considered to represent prompting that iscontextually relevant to a subject's glaucoma.

Turning now to FIG. 16, therein an image 1680 may be seen with promptingfeatures 1682A and 1682B. The image 1680 and prompting feature 1682A maybe seen to be at least somewhat similar to those in FIG. 15, however inFIG. 16 the prompting feature 1682A has increased in size, and a secondprompting feature 1682B also has appeared, also in the periphery of theimage 1680. A larger portion of the image 1680 is thus obscured by theprompting features 1682A and 1682B thus at least arguably being morenoticeable and/or more readily attracting a subject's attention.

Similarly, in FIG. 17 therein an image 1780 may be seen with promptingfeatures 1782A through 1782H. The image 1780 and prompting features1782A and 1782B may be seen to be at least somewhat similar to those inFIG. 17, however in FIG. 17 prompting feature 1782B is larger. Also, newprompting features 1782C through 1782H also appear, both in theperiphery of the image 1780 and also distributed throughout the centralportion of the image 1780. Again, the prompting features 1782A through1782H obscure a still larger portion of the image 1780, thus at leastarguably being still more noticeable and/or still more readilyattracting a subject's attention.

Considering FIG. 14 through FIG. 17 collectively as a time-sequence, itmay be seen that the images shown therein are progressively obscured bythe prompting features in a fashion resembling the progressive loss ofeyesight associated with glaucoma. Thus, FIG. 14 through FIG. 17 mayrepresent a prompting to a subject to administer a glaucoma medication,that prompting being contextually relevant at least insofar as theprompting to take the medication resembles the effect of the user nottaking the medication, and/or the prompting is progressive as timepasses (a feature that may also be contextually relevant, as glaucomalikewise typically is progressive in effect).

Now with reference to FIG. 18, therein another baseline image 1880 isshown, i.e. the image 1880 is without modification such as by a promptaccording to the present invention.

In FIG. 19, an image 1980 is shown that is at least somewhat similar tothe image 1880 in FIG. 18. However, FIG. 19 also includes a promptingfeature 1982 therein, obscuring a portion of the image 1980 near thecenter thereof.

Although certain previous figures have used glaucoma as an example, thepresent invention is not limited only thereto. Considering as analternative example macular degeneration, in certain cases maculardegeneration manifests as gradual loss and/or impairment of sight in thecentral vision (e.g. due to degeneration of the macula of the eye).Macular degneration typically affects the central vision, with the areaof impairment growing larger in size and/or the impairment becoming morepronounced. The prompting feature 1982, in obscuring a portion of thecenter of the image 1980, thus is at least somewhat similar to and/orevocative of an early manifestation of macular degeneration. Thus, thearrangement shown in FIG. 19 may be considered to represent promptingthat is contextually relevant to a subject's macular degeneration.

Turning now to FIG. 20, therein an image 2080 may be seen with promptingfeature 2082. The image 2080 and prompting feature 2082 may be seen tobe at least somewhat similar to those in FIG. 19, however in FIG. 20 theprompting feature 2082 has increased in size. A larger portion of theimage 2080 is thus obscured by the prompting feature 2082 thus at leastarguably being more noticeable and/or more readily attracting asubject's attention.

Similarly, in FIG. 21 an image 2180 may be seen with prompting feature2182. The image 2180 and prompting feature 2182 may be seen to be atleast somewhat similar to those in FIG. 20, however in FIG. 20 theprompting feature 2182 is larger. Again, the prompting feature 2182obscures a still larger portion of the image 2180, thus at leastarguably being still more noticeable and/or still more readilyattracting a subject's attention.

Considering FIG. 18 through FIG. 21 collectively as a time-sequence, itmay be seen that the images shown therein are progressively obscured bythe prompting features in a fashion resembling the progressive loss ofeyesight associated with macular degeneration. Thus, FIG. 18 throughFIG. 21 may represent a prompting to a subject to administer a maculardegeneration medication (or other therapy), that prompting beingcontextually relevant at least insofar as the prompting to take themedication resembles the effect of the user not taking the medication,and/or the prompting is progressive as time passes.

As has been stated, although certain examples herein reference eyeconditions, the present invention is not limited only thereto. Now withreference to FIG. 22 therein another baseline image 2280 is shown, i.e.the image 2280 is without modification such as by a prompt according tothe present invention.

In FIG. 23, an image 2380 is shown that is at least somewhat similar tothe image 2380 in FIG. 22. However, FIG. 23 also includes a promptingfeature 2382A therein, obscuring a portion of the image 2380. Theprompting feature 2382A is in the form of a graphic icon representing astylized “bug”, potentially being evocative for example of a bacterium,virus, etc.

Turning to FIG. 24, therein an image 2480 may be seen with promptingfeature 2482A. The image 2480 and prompting feature 2482A may be seen tobe at least somewhat similar to those in FIG. 23, however in FIG. 24additional prompting features 2482B, 2482C, and 2482D also are present.A larger portion of the image 2480 is thus obscured by the promptingfeatures 2482A through 2482D, thus at least arguably being morenoticeable and/or more readily attracting a subject's attention.

Continuing with FIG. 25, therein an image 2580 may be seen withprompting features 2582A through 2582D. The image 2580 and promptingfeatures 2582A through 2582D may be seen to be at least somewhat similarto those in FIG. 24, however in FIG. 25 additional prompting features2582E through 2582P also are present. A still larger portion of theimage 2580 is thus obscured by the prompting features 2582A through2582P, thus at least arguably being more noticeable and/or more readilyattracting a subject's attention.

Considering FIG. 22 through FIG. 25 collectively as a time-sequence, itmay be seen that the images shown therein are progressively obscured bythe prompting features with increasing coverage of the images. Thenumber of prompting features begins at one in FIG. 23, increases to fourin FIG. 24 (doubling, then redoubling), and then increases to sixteen inFIG. 25 (again doubling and redoubling). Thus the number of promptingfeatures increases geometrically, doubling twice between FIG. 23 andFIG. 24 and again doubling twice between FIG. 24 and FIG. 25.

It is noted that certain infectious organisms may typically increase innumber geometrically, doubling over some period of time, redoublingagain after a similar period of time, etc. Therefor FIG. 22 through FIG.25 thus may resemble and/or evoke the progression of an infection, anarrangement that might be used as a prompt to a subject to administer anantibiotic medication, an antiviral medication, etc. in response to aninfection. That prompting may be considered to be contextually relevantat least insofar as the prompting to take the medication may resemblethe effect of the user not taking the medication (i.e. the infectiousorganisms may grow at a geometric rate), and/or the prompting may beprogressive as time passes (with additional prompting features appearingover time).

It is emphasized that the arrangement shown in FIG. 22 through FIG. 25is an example only, and that many variations are possible within thescope of the present invention. For example, even for an arrangementsimilar to that in FIG. 22 through FIG. 25, although two doublings areshown between FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 and between FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 theindividual doublings might be presented instead (going from 1 to 2, 2 to4, 4 to 8, etc.), or prompting features might appear individually but ata geometrically increasing rate, etc. An arrangement other thangeometric growth likewise might be utilized.

While the prompting features shown in FIG. 22 through FIG. 25 areillustrated as static and motionless, prompting features that areanimated and/or mobile, etc. also may be equally suitable. For example,individual “bugs” could appear as animations, moving about the screen,and so forth. Likewise, although the prompting features shown in FIG. 22through FIG. 25 are shown as stylized, realistic icons showing someparticular microorganism might be utilized instead. Other promptingfeatures also might be suitable, including but not limited to imagesand/or representations of damage done by an infection.

As has been stated, although certain examples herein reference diseasestreatable by medications, the present invention is not limited onlythereto. Turning now to FIG. 26, therein another baseline image 2680 isshown, i.e. the image 2680 is without modification such as by a promptaccording to the present invention.

In FIG. 27, an image 2780 is shown that is at least somewhat similar tothe image 2680 in FIG. 26. However, FIG. 27 also includes a promptingfeature 2782 therein, obscuring a portion of the image 2780. Theprompting feature 2782 is in the form of a graphic icon representing astylized heart. Such an icon might be adapted, for example, to prompt asubject to engage in aerobic exercise, e.g. as part of a regular programof such exercise for maintaining cardiovascular health. The promptingfeature 2782 thus may be considered to represent prompting that iscontextually relevant to a subject's heart and/or heart health.

Turning now to FIG. 28, therein an image 2880 may be seen with aprompting feature 2882. The image 2880 and prompting feature 2882A maybe seen to be at least somewhat similar to those in FIG. 27, however inFIG. 28 the prompting feature 2882 has increased in size. A largerportion of the image 2880 is thus obscured by the prompting feature 2882thus at least arguably being more noticeable and/or more readilyattracting a subject's attention.

Similarly, in FIG. 29 therein an image 2980 may be seen with promptingfeature 2982. The image 2980 and prompting feature 2982 may be seen tobe at least somewhat similar to those in FIG. 28, however in FIG. 29 theprompting feature 2982 is larger. Again, the prompting feature 2982 ismore prominent and obscures a still larger portion of the image 2980,thus at least arguably being still more noticeable and/or still morereadily attracting a subject's attention.

Considering FIG. 26 through FIG. 29 collectively as a time-sequence, itmay be seen that the images shown therein are progressively obscured bythe prompting feature, the prompting feature becoming more prominent andobscuring more of the image over time. Thus, FIG. 26 through FIG. 29 mayrepresent a prompting to a subject to engage in aerobic exercise,administer a glaucoma medication, that prompting being contextuallyrelevant at least insofar as the prompting to exercise makes the devicedisplaying the image decreasingly functional (as a subject's heart,body, etc. likewise may become decreasingly functional due to lack ofregular aerobic exercise, etc.).

Although FIG. 10 through FIG. 29 show examples of contextually relevantprompting, the present invention is not limited only to the examplesshown, nor is the present invention limited only to contextuallyrelevant prompting. Other arrangements may be equally suitable.

As has been disclosed, with regard to confirmation the present inventionmay utilize confirmation that is automatic, including but not limited toautomatic confirmation gathering information from sensors. Withreference now to FIG. 30, an example arrangement for automaticconfirmation is shown beginning therein. It will be understood that, atleast for the arrangement shown (and for certain other such arrangementsshown herein), the example arrangement for automatic confirmation alsomay be viewed as an arrangement for sensing execution of a therapeuticevent.

In FIG. 30, a stylized side view of a subject's head 3084 is shown, aswell as a subject's hand 3088. FIG. 30 also shows one of the subject'seyes 3086, a medication container 3090 illustrated in the form of asqueeze bottle as might be utilized to administer medication in the formof eye drops. A sleeve 3092 also is illustrated disposed on themedication container 3090, the sleeve for example potentially serving asa platform for sensors and/or other elements supporting animplementation of the present invention.

As will be shown, certain therapeutic events—including but not limitedto the administration of a medication in the form of an eye drop—mayinclude therein motions and/or other actions sufficiently characteristicas to enable confirmation of those therapeutic events by sensing ofthose motions/actions. In FIG. 30, an early state of such acharacteristic motion is shown, with the container 3090 held in front ofthe subject.

Moving on to FIG. 31, therein the user's head 3184 has tilted back, forexample so as to elevate the eye 3186 to receive an eye drop. The hand3188, and container 3190 with the sleeve 3192 thereon remainsubstantially as in FIG. 30.

Turning to FIG. 32, a progression of positions are shown for the hand3288 as the hand 3288 is raised to a position above the head 3284.Initially the hand 3288A begins in a low position, elevatingprogressively 3288B, 3288C, 3288D, until the uppermost position shownfor hand 3288E. Similarly, the container and sleeve move from 3290A and3292A, 3290B and 3292B, 3290C and 3292C, 3290D and 3292D, until theuppermost position shown for the container 3290E and the sleeve 3292E.

In FIG. 33, the subject's hand 3388 is shown elevated, substantially asin FIG. 32, with the container 3390 and sleeve 3392 gripped therein. Thesubject's head 3384 remains leaned back, with the eye 3386 positioned toreceive the medication.

Now with reference to FIG. 34, the subject's head 3484 remains leanedback, with the eye 3486 positioned to receive the medication. The hand3488 has rotated to tilt the container 3490 to dispense medication withthe sleeve 3492 tilting as well.

In FIG. 35, the subject's hand 3588 has squeezed the container 3590 (andin the case shown also has squeezed the sleeve 3592, though a squeezablesleeve is not required). A drop of medication 3594 has been squeezedfrom the bottle 3590, and with the head 3584 tilted back the medication3594 is positioned to fall into the subject's eye 3586.

Considering FIG. 30 through FIG. 35 collectively, a series of motions isapparent therefrom. A medication container—with a sensor sleevethereon—is raised along an arc to a position above the subject's head,then inclined over the eye, then squeezed to administer the medication.Such a sequence of motions may, for at least certain embodiments of thepresent invention, be sufficiently characteristic as to be recognizableas a therapeutic act (in the example shown, administration of amedicated eye drop) as to enable confirmation of that therapeutic act bysensing those motions.

For example, as noted the sleeve may have sensors disposed thereinand/or thereon. As a more concrete example, an arrangement of one ormore accelerometers might detect the translation of the container alongan arc, an arrangement of one or more gyroscopes might detect rotationof the container above the eye, and/or an arrangement of one or morepressure or flexure sensors might detect the squeezing of the containerto dispense the medication.

A range of accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors, etc. may besuitable for use with the present invention, and the present inventionis not particularly limited with regard thereto.

Moreover, other sensors besides those referenced above may be equallysuitable. For example, image sensors might capture characteristicmotions (and/or recognize those motions) and/or might capturecharacteristic objects such as a medication container. Alternatively, amicrophone might capture sounds characteristic of administering asthmamedication through an inhaler, a pulse sensor might record a change inpulse rate associated with aerobic activity, etc. The present inventionis not particularly limited with regard to what phenomena may be sensed,and/or what sensors may be utilized therefor (if any).

Although in the example of FIG. 30 through FIG. 35 sensors areincorporated in a sleeve which is disposed on a medication container, itis emphasized that such an arrangement is not required, and the presentinvention is not limited thereto. Sensors may be distal to a medicationbottle or other instrument associated with a therapeutic event. Aspreviously noted, imagers may be utilized as sensors, and such imagersmight be placed at some distance from the subject, for example imagerson smart phones, tablets, laptop computers, game consoles, securitysystems, etc. might be so utilized.

Furthermore, even if a characteristic motion is to be captured bysensing motions of a medication bottle and/or other implement of atherapeutic event, sensors are not required to be in contact ornecessarily in proximity with such instrument.

With reference now to FIG. 36, a stylized side view of a subject's head3684 is shown, as well as a subject's hand 3688. FIG. 36 also shows oneof the subject's eyes 3686, a medication container 3690 illustrated inthe form of a squeeze bottle as might be utilized to administermedication in the form of eye drops. A wristband 3696 also isillustrated disposed inward of the subject's hand 3688. The wristband3696 may for example serve as a platform for sensors and/or otherelements supporting an implementation of the present invention.

As has been described, certain therapeutic events, including but notlimited to the administration of a medication in the form of an eyedrop, may include therein motions and/or other actions sufficientlycharacteristic as to enable confirmation of those therapeutic events bysensing of those motions/actions. In FIG. 36, an early state of such acharacteristic motion is shown, with the container 3690 held in front ofthe subject.

Moving on to FIG. 37, therein the user's head 3784 has tilted back, forexample so as to elevate the eye 3786 to receive an eye drop. The hand3788, container 3790, and wristband 3796 remain substantially as in FIG.36.

Turning to FIG. 38, a progression of positions are shown for the hand3888 as the hand 3888 is raised to a position above the head 3884.Initially the hand 3888A begins in a low position, elevatingprogressively 3888B, 3888C, 3888D, until the uppermost position shownfor hand 3888E. Similarly, the container and wristband move from 3890Aand 3896A, 3890B and 3896B, 3890C and 3896C, 3890D and 3896D, until theuppermost position shown for the container 3890E and the wristband3896E.

In FIG. 39, the subject's hand 3988 is shown elevated, substantially asin FIG. 32, with the container 3990 and wristband 3996 gripped therein.The subject's head 3984 remains leaned back, with the eye 3986positioned to receive the medication.

Now with reference to FIG. 40, the subject's head 4084 remains leanedback, with the eye 4086 positioned to receive the medication. The hand4088 has rotated to tilt the container 4090 to dispense medication withthe wristband 4096 moving as the hand 4088 rotates.

In FIG. 41, the subject's hand 4188 has squeezed the container 4190,potentially manipulating the wristband 4196 (e.g. via movement ofmuscles and tendons in the wrist as the container 4190 is squeezed). Adrop of medication 4194 has been squeezed from the bottle 4190, and withthe head 4184 tilted back the medication 4194 is positioned to fall intothe subject's eye 4186.

Considering FIG. 36 through FIG. 41 collectively, a series of motions isapparent therefrom, at least somewhat similar to those shown anddescribed with regard to FIG. 30 through FIG. 35. A medication containerheld in a hand—with a sensored wristband (e.g. a smartwatch, athleticwristband, health monitoring wristband, etc.) on the wrist below thehand—is raised along an arc to a position above the subject's head, theninclined over the eye, then squeezed to administer the medication. Sucha sequence of motions may, for at least certain embodiments of thepresent invention, be sufficiently characteristic as to be recognizableas a therapeutic act (in the example shown, administration of amedicated eye drop) as to enable confirmation of that therapeutic act bysensing those motions.

For example, as noted the wristband may have sensors disposed thereinand/or thereon. As a more concrete example, an arrangement of one ormore accelerometers might detect the translation of the container alongan arc, an arrangement of one or more gyroscopes might detect rotationof the container above the eye, and/or an arrangement of one or morepressure or flexure sensors might detect the squeezing of the containerto dispense the medication. Sensors on wristbands may be adapted todetermine a wide range of parameters, including certain factors that maybe considered non-intuitive, such as waking body posture and/or sleepposture, even if sensors on such a wristband only directly sense theposition and/or manipulation of the wrist and hand. For example, theposition and/or manipulation of a wrist or hand may be indicative of anoverall posture and/or body motion, such perhaps being determinedthrough kinematic analysis.

As has been noted previously, a therapeutic event according to thepresent invention may include collecting data, including but not limitedto health data regarding a patient or other subject. Although certainexamples of therapeutic events have been described herein with regard toadministering medication, using a medical device, etc. it is emphasizedthat the present invention is not limited only thereto.

Notably, the present invention is not limited only to discrete or“single point” therapeutic events. That is, a therapeutic event mayconstitute a sequence of health measurements distributed over time,position, etc. (potentially but not necessarily prompted by changes intime, position, etc.), and/or some other long-term and/or ongoing seriesor continuum of action. Likewise, a therapeutic event may includetransmission of such collected data.

As a more concrete example, a therapeutic event might include thecollection of data regarding when and how a subject takes a prescribedmedication for blood pressure (for example), what the subject's bloodpressure is at intervals and/or at specific times (e.g. “8 AM”, or “whenthe subject wakes up”), potentially over a period of many days ormonths. Such a therapeutic event might also include environmentalinformation regarding temperature, humidity, etc., other informationregarding the subject such as where the subject is, what posture thesubject is, what the subject is doing (sleeping, sitting, walking,running, etc.), and so forth.

Moreover, the present invention is not limited only to executing suchactions subsequent to and/or in response to a prompt. That is, anembodiment of the present invention might record health data over a longperiod before or without a prompt, and then as a response to the promptexecute a therapeutic event in the form of transmitting the collectedinformation to a database.

Thus, depending on the embodiment, a therapeutic event might constitutedata collection, might constitute transmission of such data, etc.Likewise, a prompt is able to be a command to execute such datacollection, is able to be a command to transmit a collection of suchdata to some other subject such as a database.

Both data collection as described, and other functions and structures ofthe present invention may be implemented either partially or entirely asexecutable instructions either already instantiated on a processor orinstantiated thereupon, e.g. from a data store such as a hard drive,solid state drive, etc. The terms “may” and “might” used throughout thepresent disclosure are able to be replaced with “is/are able to” and“can.”

The methods and devices disclosed herein is able to be utilized inadministering a medication or facilitate the utilization of a medicaldevice. In operation, a therapeutic event is established, one or morepredetermined conditions are established, triggers are established,verification whether the trigger is presented is checked, and prompt isexecuted.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

We claim:
 1. A machine-implemented method, in a processor, comprising:establishing at least one therapeutic event; establishing at least onetrigger for said therapeutic event, said trigger comprising a status ofa condition; determining whether said trigger is present; establishing aprompt for said therapeutic event; and if said trigger is present,delivering said prompt to at least a first subject.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein: said therapeutic event comprises at least one of agroup consisting of administering a medication, utilizing a medicaldevice, acquiring a subject status, performing an exercise, taking abreak from an activity, and exiting an area.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein: said condition comprises at least one of a group consisting ofa time, a subject identity, a subject action, a subject status, and anenvironmental feature.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein: said conditioncomprises a subject status, and said subject status comprisesbioinformation regarding said subject.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein: determining whether said trigger is present comprises at leastone of a group consisting of sensing said condition, determining a time,sensing a status of said subject, sensing bioinformation regarding saidsubject, and sensing said condition using a portable electronic device.6. The method of claim 1, wherein: said prompt comprises at least one ofa group consisting of an auditory signal, a visual signal, a tactilesignal, a verbal message, a tone, a musical sequence, a text message, avibration, a telltale light, a visual image, an animation, a change inaudio output, and a change in video output.
 7. The method of claim 1,comprising: delivering said prompt so as to evoke at least a portion ofa medical effect associated with an absence of said therapeutic event.8. The method of claim 1, wherein: said prompt comprises obscuring atleast a portion of a display visible to said subject.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, comprising: progressively obscuring said display, such thatsaid portion thereof increases over time.
 10. The method of claim 7,wherein: said prompt comprises obscuring at least a portion of a displayvisible to said subject, said obscuring initiating in a periphery ofsaid display, said obscuring progressing over time so as to increasesaid portion, said obscuring progressing such that said portion expandssubstantially toward a center of said display.
 11. The method of claim7, wherein: said prompt comprises obscuring at least a portion of adisplay visible to said subject, said obscuring initiating proximate acenter of said display, said obscuring progressing over time so as toincrease said portion, said obscuring progressing such that said portionexpands substantially away from a center of said display.
 12. The methodof claim 7, wherein: said prompt comprises obscuring at least a portionof a display visible to said subject with at least one icon, said iconcomprising a representation of a microorganism, a number of said atleast one icon increasing over time so as to increase said portion. 13.The method of claim 1, wherein: said prompt is contextually relevant.14. The method of claim 1, comprising: delivering said prompt via atleast one of a group consisting of a portable electronic device, awearable electronic device, a smart phone, a personal data assistant, atablet, a smart watch, a head mounted display, a laptop computer, and adesktop computer.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein: delivering saidprompt comprises altering an output of a visual display.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein: delivering said prompt comprises altering saidoutput of said visual display in a manner substantially correspondingwith an effect associated with not executing said therapeutic event. 17.The method of claim 16, wherein: said prompt comprises an advisory, saidprompt comprising at least one of a health advisory, informationregarding an environmental factor, and an instruction.
 18. The method ofclaim 1, wherein: said prompt comprises at least one of instruction toadminister a medication, an instruction to utilize a medical device, aninstruction to acquire a subject status, an instruction to perform anexercise, an instruction to take a break from an activity, and aninstruction to exit an area.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein: saidfirst subject comprises at least one of a group consisting of acaregiver for a patient, a portable electronic device, a smart phone, apersonal data assistant, a tablet, a smart watch, a head mounteddisplay, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a health professional,emergency services, and a data store.
 20. The method of claim 1,comprising: determining whether said therapeutic event is executed. 21.The method of claim 20, wherein: determining whether said therapeuticevent is executed comprises at least one of a group consisting of actionrecognition, receiving data from at least one sensor, and sensing amanipulation of a medication dispenser.
 22. The method of claim 20,wherein: determining whether said therapeutic event is executedcomprises receiving data from at least one of a group consisting of animager, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a pressure sensor.
 23. Themethod of claim 20, wherein: determining whether said therapeutic eventis executed comprises sensing a manipulation of a medication dispenser.24. The method of claim 23, wherein: sensing said manipulation of saidmedication dispenser comprises at least one of a group consisting of:receiving data from at least one sensor proximate said medicationdispenser; receiving data from at least one sensor distal to saidmedication dispenser; visually sensing at least a portion of saidmedication dispenser; and visually sensing a target on said medicationdispenser.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein: sensing saidmanipulation of said medication dispenser comprises visually sensing atarget on said medication dispenser, said target comprising at least oneof a group consisting of a bar code, a QR code, a static LED, acolor-modulated LED, and an intensity-modulated LED.
 26. The method ofclaim 20, wherein: determining whether said therapeutic event isexecuted comprises sensing a subject action.
 27. The method of claim 26,wherein: said subject action is characteristic of said therapeuticevent.
 28. The method of claim 26, wherein: said therapeutic eventcomprises administering a medication.
 29. The method of claim 28,wherein: said subject action comprises administering an eye drop. 30.The method of claim 26, wherein: said subject action comprises: saidsubject tilting back a head thereof; said subject raising a hand thereoffrom a first position substantially in front of said subject to a secondposition substantially above a head of said subject; said subjectinclining said hand substantially in a direction of an eye of saidsubject; and said subject squeezing said hand.
 31. The method of claim26, comprising: sensing said subject action with at least one sensor,said sensor comprising at least one of a group consisting of: a sensorheld in a hand of said subject; a sensor engaged with a wrist of saidsubject; and a sensor engaged with a medication container, saidmedication container being held in a hand of said subject.
 32. Themethod of claim 31 wherein: said sensor comprises at least one of agroup consisting of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a pressuresensor.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein: said medication containercomprises an eyedrop bottle.
 34. The method of claim 31, wherein: saidsensor comprises a microphone disposed within said medication container.35. The method of claim 34, wherein: said medication container comprisesan inhaler.
 36. The method of claim 20, comprising: establishing atleast one confirmation of said therapeutic event; if said therapeuticaction is executed, executing said confirmation of said therapeuticevent.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein: said confirmation comprisesat least one of a group consisting of an auditory signal, a visualsignal, a tactile signal, a verbal message, a tone, a musical sequence,a text message, a vibration, a telltale light, a visual image, ananimation, a change in audio output, a change in video output, andgenerating a data entry.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein: saidconfirmation comprises a time of said therapeutic event.
 39. The methodof claim 37, comprising: said confirmation comprises recording a dataentry on a data store disposed in at least one of a group consisting ofa medication dispenser, a medical device, a PDA, a smart phone, a smartwatch, a head mounted display, a tablet, a laptop computer, and adesktop computer.
 40. The method of claim 36, comprising: deliveringsaid confirmation to at least one of a group consisting of said firstsubject and a second subject.
 41. The method of claim 36, comprising:delivering said confirmation to at least one of a group consisting of acaregiver, a portable electronic device, a smart phone, a personal dataassistant, a tablet, a smart watch, a head mounted display, a laptopcomputer, a desktop computer, a health professional, emergency services,and a data store.
 42. A machine implemented method, comprising:establishing at least one therapeutic event; establishing at least onetrigger for said therapeutic action, said trigger comprising a status ofa condition; determining whether said trigger is present; establishing aprompt for said therapeutic event; if said trigger is present,delivering said prompt to at least a first subject; determining whethersaid therapeutic event is executed; and if said therapeutic action isexecuted, establishing at least one confirmation of said therapeuticevent.
 43. The method of claim 42, comprising: delivering said prompt soas to evoke at least a portion of a medical effect associated with anabsence of said therapeutic event.
 44. A machine-implemented method,comprising: establishing at least one therapeutic event; establishing atleast one trigger for said therapeutic action, said trigger comprising astatus of a condition; determining whether said trigger is present;establishing a prompt for said therapeutic event; if said trigger ispresent: delivering said prompt to a first subject; and delivering saidprompt to a second subject.
 45. The method of claim 44, comprising:delivering a financial transaction from said second subject to saidfirst subject.
 46. The method of claim 4, wherein: ownership of saidstatus of said condition remains unchanged.
 47. An apparatus,comprising: a processor, said processor being adapted to determine apresence of a trigger for a therapeutic event, said trigger comprising astatus of a condition; and a prompter, said prompter being adapted todeliver a prompt to a subject if said processor determines said presenceof said trigger.
 48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein: said processoris disposed in at least one of a group consisting of a medicationcontainer, a wrist device, a smart phone, a smart watch, a tablet, a PC,a television, and a set-top box.
 49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein:said prompter comprises at least one of a group consisting of a displayscreen, an LED, an audio speaker, and a haptic output.
 50. The apparatusof claim 47, wherein: said prompter is disposed in at least one of agroup consisting of a medication container, a wrist device, a smartphone, a smart watch, a tablet, a PC, a television, and a set-top box.51. The apparatus of claim 47, comprising: at least one sensor incommunication with said processor, said sensor being adapted todetermine said status of said condition.
 52. The apparatus of claim 51,wherein: said sensor is disposed on at least one of a group consistingof a medication container, a wrist device, a smart phone, a smart watch,a tablet, a PC, a television, and a set-top box.
 53. The apparatus ofclaim 51, wherein: said sensor comprises at least one of a groupconsisting of an imager, a depth mapper, an accelerometer, a gyroscope,a pressure sensor, a code reader, and a microphone.
 54. The apparatus ofclaim 47, comprising: an inputter, said inputter being adapted toreceive at least one of a group consisting of a confirmation that saidprompt is received and a confirmation that said therapeutic event isexecuted.
 55. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein: said processor isadapted to establish a confirmation of at least one of a groupconsisting of a receipt of said prompt and an execution of saidtherapeutic event.
 56. The apparatus of claim 55, comprising: a sensorin communication with the processor, said sensor being adapted to sensesaid confirmation.
 57. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein: said sensoris disposed on at least one of a group consisting of a medicationcontainer, a wrist device, a smart phone, a smart watch, a tablet, a PC,a television, and a set-top box.
 58. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein:said sensor comprises at least one of a group consisting of an imager, adepth mapper, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a pressure sensor, a codereader, and a microphone.
 59. The apparatus of claim 47, comprising: atherapeutic event entity instantiated on said processor, saidtherapeutic event entity being adapted to establish informationregarding a therapeutic event; a trigger entity instantiated on saidprocessor, said trigger entity being adapted to establish a trigger forsaid therapeutic event, said trigger comprising a status of a condition;a prompt entity instantiated on said processor, said prompt entity beingadapted to establish a prompt for said therapeutic event; a triggerdeterminer entity instantiated on said processor, said triggerdeterminer entity being adapted to determine whether said trigger ispresent; and a prompter entity instantiated on said processor, saidprompter entity being adapted to deliver said prompt to a subject. 60.The apparatus of claim 47, comprising: a confirmation determiner entityinstantiated on said processor, said confirmation determiner entitybeing adapted to determine at least one of a group consisting of adelivery of said prompt and an execution of said therapeutic event. 61.The apparatus of claim 47, comprising: a confirmer entity instantiatedon said processor, said confirmer entity being adapted deliver aconfirmation that at least one of a group consisting of a delivery ofsaid prompt and an execution of said therapeutic event.
 62. Anapparatus, comprising: means for establishing at least one therapeuticevent; means for establishing at least one trigger for said therapeuticevent, said trigger comprising a status of a condition; means fordetermining whether said trigger is present; means for establishing aprompt for said therapeutic event; and means for, if said trigger ispresent, delivering said prompt to at least a first subject.
 63. Anapparatus, comprising: means for establishing at least one therapeuticevent; means for establishing at least one trigger for said therapeuticevent, said trigger comprising a status of a condition; means fordetermining whether said trigger is present; means for establishing aprompt for said therapeutic event; means for, if said trigger ispresent, delivering said prompt to at least a first subject; means forestablishing at least one confirmation of said therapeutic event; andmeans for, if said therapeutic action is executed, executing saidconfirmation of said therapeutic event.
 64. A method, comprising:instantiating on a processor executable instructions adapted toestablish at least one therapeutic event; instantiating on a processorexecutable instructions adapted to establish at least one trigger forsaid therapeutic event, said trigger comprising a status of a condition;instantiating on a processor executable instructions adapted todetermine whether said trigger is present; instantiating on a processorexecutable instructions adapted to establish a prompt for saidtherapeutic event; and instantiating on said processor executableinstructions adapted to deliver said prompt to at least a first subjectif said trigger is present.
 65. The method of claim 64, comprising:instantiating on said processor executable instructions adapted toestablish at least one confirmation of said therapeutic event.
 66. Themethod of claim 64, comprising: instantiating on said processorexecutable instructions adapted to execute said confirmation of saidtherapeutic event if said therapeutic action is executed.
 67. Amachine-implemented method, comprising: a first subject collectinghealth data regarding a second subject; and upon receipt by said firstsubject of a prompt thereto, said first subject sending said health datato a third subject.
 68. The method of claim 67, wherein: said firstsubject comprises at least one of a group consisting of an electronicdevice and a wearable device.
 69. The method of claim 67, wherein: saidsecond subject comprises a patient.
 70. The method of claim 67, wherein:said third subject comprises a database.
 71. The method of claim 67,wherein: said health data comprises an identity of said second subject.72. A method, comprising: instantiating in a processor in a firstsubject executable instructions adapted to collect health data regardinga second subject; and instantiating in said processor executableinstructions adapted to send said health data to a third subject uponreceipt by said first subject of a prompt thereto.
 73. The method ofclaim 72, wherein: said first subject comprises at least one of a groupconsisting of an electronic device and a wearable device.
 74. The methodof claim 72, wherein: said second subject comprises a patient.
 75. Themethod of claim 72, wherein: said third subject comprises a database.76. The method of claim 72, wherein: said health data comprises anidentity of said second subject.
 77. A machine-implemented method,comprising: in a substantially uncontrolled environment; with a firstsubject, acquiring a plurality of statuses of at least one condition,said condition being relevant to a health of a second subject; andconveying said statuses of said at least one condition to a thirdsubject.
 78. The method of claim 77, wherein: said environment comprisesa substantially unrestricted space.
 79. The method of claim 77, wherein:said environment substantially lacks live medical supervision of saidsecond subject.
 80. The method of claim 77, wherein: said first subjectcomprises at least one of a portable electronic device and a wearabledevice.
 81. The method of claim 80, wherein: said first subjectcomprises at least one of a group consisting of a smart phone, apersonal data assistant, a tablet, a wearable health sensor, a smartwatch, and a head mounted display.
 82. The method of claim 77,comprising: sensing said statuses with a sensor disposed on said firstsubject.
 83. The method of claim 82, wherein: said sensor comprises atleast one of a group consisting of an imager, an accelerometer, amicrophone, and a gyroscope.
 84. The method of claim 77, wherein: saidcondition comprises at least one of a group consisting of an actionexecuted by said second subject, an action executed on said secondsubject, an event proximate said second subject, an environmentalfeature proximate said second subject, and bio-information regardingsaid second subject.
 85. The method of claim 84 wherein: said conditioncomprises said action executed by said second subject, said actioncomprising at least one of a group consisting of administering amedication, utilizing a medical device, executing a therapy, andperforming an activity.
 86. The method of claim 85 wherein: saidactivity comprises sleeping, lying down, sitting, standing, walking,jogging, running, consuming food, and consuming drink.
 87. The method ofclaim 84, wherein: said condition comprises said action executed on saidsecond subject, said action comprising at least one of a groupconsisting of administering a medication, utilizing a medical device,and executing a therapy.
 88. The method of claim 84, wherein: saidcondition comprises said environmental feature proximate said secondsubject, said environment feature comprising at least one of a groupconsisting of time, temperature, humidity, air pressure, presence ofpollutants, concentration of pollutants, presence of allergens,concentration of allergens, presence of toxins, concentration of toxins,level of visible light, rate of change of visible light, and level ofultraviolet light.
 89. The method of claim 84, wherein: said conditioncomprises bio-information regarding said second subject, saidbio-information comprising at least one of a group consisting ofmedication concentration, heartbeat, respiration, body temperature,brain waves, blood oxygen, blood chemistry, and body position.
 90. Themethod of claim 77, wherein: said third subject comprises a database.91. The method of claim 77, comprising: conveying said statuses inresponse to a prompt to at least one of said first and second subjects.92. A method, comprising: instantiating in a processor in a firstsubject executable instructions adapted to acquire with said firstsubject a plurality of statuses of at least one condition, saidcondition being relevant to a health of a second subject; andinstantiating in said processor executable instructions adapted toconvey said statuses of said at least one condition to a third subject.93. The method of claim 203, wherein: said first subject comprises atleast one of a group consisting of a portable electronic device, awearable device, a smart phone, a personal data assistant, a tablet, awearable health sensor, a smart watch, and a head mounted display.